United States Drug Enforcement Administration

 EL PASO – To commemorate Red Ribbon Week, Fire Prevention Week, and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, the El Paso Association of Firefighters Local 51, El Paso Electric, Texas Gas Service, YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region, and the El Paso Chamber partnered to light the iconic star on the Franklin Mountains red. The color was chosen because the DEA, firefighters, and the YWCA celebrate very similar events in October that incorporate the color red.

The DEA commemorates Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31, where the agency asks students, teachers, and the entire community to make the pledge to live drug free lifestyles, in memory of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was murdered by the drug traffickers he was investigating. Firefighters commemorate Fire Prevention Week October 3-9; this year’s theme is “Learn the sounds of fire safety.” And the YWCA has been commemorating National Domestic Violence Awareness Month since 1989.

In addition to the star shining red, several buildings throughout town will also #GoRed in October. Sunflower Bank and Wells Fargo are already shining red. And the Mills Building and the Housing Authority will too, very soon.

“All the agencies who collaborated to light the starred want our community to be El Paso Strong, and that means living safe, healthy life styles, said Greg Millard, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “When our community gazes at our star this October, we want them to re-commit to live free from illegal drug use and medication misuse, to commit to learning the sounds of fire safety, and to speak up against domestic violence.”

The star first shined red on Friday Oct. 1 and will continue in that color through the first week of November.