Red Ribbon Week: Creating Dialogue and Mobilizing Communities
What is Red Ribbon Week? Twenty-five years ago, Enriqué (Kiki) Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by drug traffickers. Out of this violent and tragic loss, the Camarena family began the Red Ribbon movement. Red Ribbon Week has grown into an effort that spans the nation and celebrates healthy, drug-free living.
Enrique (Kiki) S. Camarena
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) encourages everyone to use Red Ribbon Week, October 25th through the 29th, as an opportunity to create dialogue with youth, to mobilize communities and to honor law enforcement officers who work every day to keep neighborhoods safe from drugs.
Safe & Sound has taken the charge and is launching a week long campaign in support of Red Ribbon Week. The Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), Safe Places, and the Community Partners program are working together to reduce availability, access and use of drugs and alcohol. Safe & Sound Community Partners are also integrally involved in the Milwaukee Reality Check Coalition, which seeks to reduce teen access to alcohol and drugs in three target neighborhoods. The Red Ribbon Week efforts will contribute to the overall strategic approach of the coalition, but also speaks directly to the mission and vision of the Safe & Sound collaboration.
Safe & Sound will be distributing anti-drug posters and information across the city, as well as providing awareness presentations to emphasize the Red Ribbon message with Safe Place youth, block clubs and concerned residents. It is a great message for a great cause: keeping our youth and adults informed and aware of the dangers of drug use and the crime and violence associated with drug trafficking.
