Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide stand against drugs that is held every year during the week of October 23rd through the 31st. Red ribbons symbolize intolerance towards drug use no matter what age. Being the oldest and the largest prevention program, Red Ribbon Week has been an annual event since 1985.

     “A time for gratitude for all the lives that remain drug-free,” remarked DEA agent Enrique Camarena.

     Red Ribbon Week officially started when drug traffickers kidnapped, tortured and murdered Enrique Camarena in Mexico City on February 7th, 1985. After about a month, the DEA made their Red Ribbon Week slogan as “The best me is drug free!”

     Young U.S. Marines stated,” Our mission is to spread the word to all the clueless ones in schools and around the communities.”

     From ages 12-17, 10.6 percent use drugs. The drug used the most is marijuana at about 7.6 percent. Continuing on, 3.6 percent use prescription type drugs, 1.2 percent uses inhalants, 8 percent use hallucinogens and .5 percent use cocaine.

      “I hope people will start to listen about the story of Red Ribbon Week and that they will tell their friends and family about it and that if they are taking drugs, TO STOP! “ expressed PFC agent Tyler C. Schaeffer.

     Schools around the nation participate by tying red ribbons around their school, wearing Red Ribbon Week wristbands, or pinning red ribbons to their clothes or backpacks. More than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week events every year. For example, towns and cities raise money and create family barbecues, marathons, parades and so much more.
     Many people have put so much work into Red Ribbon Week and even though many people still use drugs, a lot of people have turned their lives around and quit drugs completely.