DEA celebrates Red Ribbon Week with special guest Mika Camarena
NEW ORLEANS – The Drug Enforcement Administration invites the community to take a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing our community, and encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.
The Red Ribbon rally celebrations, hosted by DEA, in conjunction with the Greater New Orleans Drug Demand Reduction Coalition and Seymore D’Fair Foundation, will kick off on November 2, with special guest speaker Mika Camarena attending Nelson Menard Elementary School, 3121 St. Bernard Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana at 10:00 a.m. and Ponchartrain Elementary School, 1500 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, Louisiana at 1:30 p.m.
In 1985, DEA Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena, husband of Mika Camarena, was killed by drug traffickers. Shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice. Since then, the red ribbon has symbolized a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities.
“Red Ribbon Week honors Kiki Camarena, who 33 years ago, made the ultimate sacrifice for his country fighting drug trafficking. The news of his death touched the nation, and today, millions of young people wear red ribbons and sign pledges to remain drug-free,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. “DEA will continue to take drug traffickers out of our communities as part of a comprehensive strategy that includes effective enforcement, prevention and treatment.”
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
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