October 23, 2002
Wednesday - 12:45 am

Ketchikan will kick-off Red Ribbon Week on Wednesday, October 23rd, with a ceremony at the Plaza Mall from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm along with refreshments and entertainment.

The Red Ribbon Celebration was born in response to the death of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique Camarena who was brutally murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. What began as a Red Ribbon Campaign to commemorate his death, has developed into a year-round celebration to highlight the positive actions taken by states, local governments, local agencies, and organizations.

The National Red Ribbon Celebration was established to help create awareness of the drug problem facing every community, to develop parent and community teams to combat illegal drugs, and to promote drug free lifestyles for America's youth.

During Red Ribbon Week all Americans are called on to show their support for a drug free nation by wearing a red ribbon. By wearing a Red Ribbon, youth and adults demonstrate their commitment to "Be Healthy and Drug Free!"

In a proclamation dated October 21, 2002, Ketchikan Borough Mayor Mike Salazar encouraged all Ketchikan citizens, business, public and private agencies, media, faith communities and educational institutions to wear and display red ribbons throughout National Red Ribbon Week.

History behind red ribbon week:

Enrique "Kiki" Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a  difference.

Enrique "Kiki" Camarena Photo Courtesy DEA

Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it.  "I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference." 

The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death.

In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena's memory,  the red ribbon. 

The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children.

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