United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – DEA New England Division Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle is encouraging communities across New England to Go Red for Red Ribbon in an effort to promote awareness of the need to prevent drug misuse and abuse.   

Go Red for Red Ribbon brings awareness to living a drug-free life by lighting up buildings, landmarks, businesses and bridges in red during Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31. Communities are also invited to expand upon Go Red for Red Ribbon by lighting up classrooms, offices, libraries and other locations in red using red bulbs, red gel filters or red balloons and decorations. 

Participants can post Go Red for Red Ribbon photos on social media using the hashtags #DEARedRibbon and #GoRed4RedRibbon. 

Red Ribbon Week, celebrated annually during the last week of October, highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year. During Red Ribbon Week, youth and adults around the nation pledge to increase their knowledge by learning more about the destructive effects of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and renew their commitment to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. 

The National Red Ribbon Campaign is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. Red Ribbon Week started after the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. After Special Agent Camarena’s death, people started wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice. Today, decades after his death, millions of people celebrate Red Ribbon Week by wearing red ribbons, participating in community anti-drug events and pledging to live drug-free lives.   

In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, DEA partnered with Google to develop an interactive way to explore the life of Special Agent Camarena through the lens of Google Earth. Starting October 22, you can visit http://g.co/redribbonweek  to see key places and images from where Special Agent Camarena lived and worked. 

For more ideas and information on Red Ribbon, visit www.dea.gov/redribbon.