United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOS ANGELES – This October, DEA honors the legacy of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena with the annual Red Ribbon Campaign — the nation’s largest, and longest-running, drug prevention program, which serves as the cornerstone of agency’s prevention efforts.

Landmarks, bridges, and city buildings across the United States are lighting up in red during Red Ribbon Week. The DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division has seen robust participation throughout various cities, which are lighting up red. DEA Los Angeles Field Division encompasses Southern California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara), plus Nevada, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories of Guam and Saipan.

The City of Anaheim, California, one of the cities which lit their city building in red, officially certified October 23 to October 31 as Red Ribbon Week, recognizing the national drug awareness and prevention campaign. The City of Las Vegas also illuminated in red and presented the DEA with an official Red Ribbon Week proclamation. The proclamation stated, “The national observance serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility we have to protect the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through education, prevention and meaningful engagement.”

Also in Las Vegas, the Mob Museum glowed in red. Other cities and landmarks include the City of Long Beach, which lit up buildings as well as the International Gateway Bridge; the Cities of Lancaster, Palmdale, and the Port of Los Angeles also beamed in red.

Participating schools included: St. Benedict School in Montebello, CA; Cawson Elementary School in Hemet, CA; St. Cyprian Catholic School in Long Beach, CA, Hope View Elementary School in Huntington Beach, CA; Grace Christian School in Cypress, CA; Tesoro de Valle Elementary in Valencia, CA; St. Francis de Sales School in Sherman Oaks, CA; St. Joseph’s School in La Puente, CA, St. Pancratius Catholic School in Lakewood, CA; and Hutchinson Middle School in La Mirada, CA; and Robert & Sandy Ellis Elementary School in Henderson, Nevada, and Kahaluʻu Elementary School, in Hawaii.

The Red Ribbon Campaign supports DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative by serving as a nationwide call-to-action to increase public awareness and education around highly addictive, dangerous drugs containing fentanyl and emerging drug threats that continue to fuel the opioid epidemic. 

This year’s Red Ribbon theme, in collaboration with National Family Partnership, is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” highlighting how living a drug-free lifestyle helps build a brighter future. The winning themes were created by Griswold Middle School student Ava Tackett from Griswold, Connecticut. 

“This year’s Red Ribbon theme captures the spirit of this movement, reminding us that we all have the power to make a difference,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole.  “That means understanding that dangerous and deadly drugs come in many forms, including powder, pills, and vapes. Vapes can contain nicotine, marijuana concentrates, and other illegal drugs, which can be extremely addictive. The annual Red Ribbon campaign is a reminder that we all play an important role in preventing drug misuse before it ever starts and achieving a Fentanyl Free America.” 

David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, said, “Seeing cities illuminated in red for Red Ribbon Week was truly remarkable, but the vibrant engagement within our schools and communities was even more inspiring. Our agency takes immense pride in this powerful, two-way connection. By uniting local residents and observers around a shared mission, this campaign successfully promoted healthy, drug-free lifestyles and is ultimately saving lives.”

To further support education and community engagement, DEA has released the new 2026 edition of the Drugs of Abuse publication, which provides science-based information about substances that endanger individuals and communities.

For the past four decades, DEA has recognized October 23 through October 31 as Red Ribbon Week, providing an opportunity for parents, teachers, educators, and community organizations to raise awareness about substance misuse. Throughout the week, you’ll also see DEA #GoRed4RedRibbon to honor Special Agent Camarena’s life and legacy. 

Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California, and quickly gained momentum across the state and then across the rest of the country. The National Family Partnership turned Red Ribbon Week into a national drug awareness campaign, an eight-day event proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. Reagan.  Every year since, Red Ribbon Week has been celebrated in schools and communities nationwide.

As part of Red Ribbon Week, DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsored the 10th Annual Red Ribbon Campus Video PSA Contest. Last year’s winners and additional information can be found at   www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest. 

DEA was also a co-sponsor of the National Family Partnership’s annual Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest. More information is available at www.redribbon.org.

It is not too late to spread awareness. We encourage you to follow DEA’s social media accounts on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Flickr. Additional resources including the Red Ribbon Pledge, posters, and PSAs can be found in the Red Ribbon Tool Kit on www.dea.gov/redribbon. 

# # #