Red Ribbon week focuses on the importance of living a drug free life. Red Ribbon week is in honor of Enrique Camarena (Kiki) a DEA Agent. In 1968 he spent two years in the Marine Corps. He then became a fireman and a police officer in his hometown, Calexico, California, before he joined the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1974.

In 1985, he was trying to expose a multi-billion drug pipeline. However, he was kidnapped on February 7, 1985 before he could expose the trafficking to the public. Camarena was 37 years old when he died, and his body wasn’t found until March 5, 1985. He had a wife; Mika, and three kids; Enrique, Daniel, and Erik. He worked for the DEA for 11 years and he received two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Achievement Award, and after death he received the Administrator’s Award of Honor, which is the highest award granted by DEA.

In 1885, Congressman Duncan Hunter and his high school friend, Henry Lozano, came up with Camarena Clubs in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California. Club members including Calexico High School teacher, David Dhillon, wore red ribbons and said they would live drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Kiki Camarena and others.

In 1989, Red Ribbon week became a formalized campaign by the National Family Partnership. Red Ribbon week became a big event and has been celebrated every October 23-31 since 1989. Red Ribbon week used to be wearing red ribbons or wearing red but now students have been promoting it with fun captions and different outfits for the week. The themes for GPHS are Monday – USA “Proud to be drug free!” Tuesday – Pajama “Put drugs to sleep!” Wednesday – Superhero and princess “Be your own hero and say no to drugs!” Thursday – BBQ Dad and Soccer Mom “Drugs irritate loving families!” Friday – Rhyme without reason “Rhyme don’t crime! Say no to drugs!”