This week, schools throughout the nation are raising awareness for drug
prevention through a commonly known campaign that students know as Red Ribbon Week. However, this program’s origins started 31-years ago, in honor of Enrique Camarena.

Enrique Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administrator who was tragically
murdered while out in the field in Mexico. The 37-year old was abducted by five men, stuffed into a car, and tortured. A month later, his body was found. To honor Camarena’s work and battle against illegal drugs, people began to wear red badges of satin, keeping his heroic deeds alive in their memories.

“I’m only one person,” Camarena had said, “but I want to make a difference.”

And so did millions of other families, friends, students, and teachers.
However, perhaps the most the most significant advocate for Camarena’s work is President of the National Family Partnership, Peggy Sapp. She developed the Nation Red Ribbon Campaign into an annual event, in hopes of focusing on raising awareness in the fight against drugs.

“I do believe that one person can make a difference in a child’s life,” Sapp
said. “But by partnering with parents and improving community messaging, the likelihood of raising safe, healthy, drug free kids is vastly improved.”

During Red Ribbon Week, the red ribbon is worn to keep the efforts of a brave
man’s visions for a drug free world alive. And just as Sapp and Camarena envisioned, we too can help save and change the lives of others, one ribbon at a time.