Red Ribbon Week is a long-held tradition in the prevention world with roots stretching back to 1988. In that year, the National Family Partnership, formerly known as the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, held the first Red Ribbon campaign to honor and celebrate the life of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was brutally tortured and murdered in Mexico in 1985.
The special story about Camarena includes his words to his mother when she objected to Kiki joining the DEA. He said, “I’m only person, but I want to make a difference.”
This year, we honor Kiki’s memory, as millions have through the years, with the red ribbon and prevention education activities and presentations. I invite you to join in because I firmly believe, as Kiki did, that it takes just one person to change a life and to make a difference.
That one person could be you.
Our IMPACT Communities coalition coordinators and their volunteers will work hard next week (and beyond!) to educate and inform students and their parents. Our footprint will extend from Garland to Ennis and Waxahachie. For more specific local information, contact Josie Prachyl. To learn more about the history of the Red Ribbon, go to http://redribbon.org/.
