DEA Supports 2024 Red Ribbon Campaign to Promote Healthy, Drug-Free Lifestyles
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recognizes the Red Ribbon Campaign – the nation’s largest drug prevention effort - throughout the month of October by providing drug prevention, awareness, and education that encourages living healthy and drug-free.
DEA’s Red Ribbon Week is recognized October 23 through October 31 every year and honors the life of Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.
“DEA honors Red Ribbon throughout the month of October to spread awareness and promote the importance of drug use prevention. We want to save lives by raising awareness about deadly drugs,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The sacrifice DEA Special Agent ‘Kiki’ Camerena made motivates us to continue our important work to save American lives through our enforcement and outreach efforts. We know the work we do today will shape the future of our tomorrows.”
DEA’s Virtual National Red Ribbon Rally premiered on Tuesday, October 8, and is available for viewing throughout the month of October on www.DEA.gov/redribbon and www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com.
The National Red Ribbon Rally includes an opening video by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram; a musical performance by students from Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the presentation of colors by the Greater Cleveland Color Guard in Cleveland, Ohio; the premiere of the “No Second Chance” fentanyl PSA from students in Tempe, Arizona; and the Red Ribbon Pledge led by students from the Richmond, California, Police Athletic and Activities League. The winners of DEA’s 2024 Community Drug Prevention Awards and Visual Arts Contest will be announced, and viewers will learn many ways community groups and families can get involved in this year’s Red Ribbon Campaign.
As part of the Red Ribbon Week campaign, DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are sponsoring the 9th Annual Red Ribbon Campus Video PSA Contest. Last year’s winners and information on how campuses can submit a PSA can be found at www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest. DEA is also a co-sponsor of the National Family Partnership’s annual Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest. More information is available at www.redribbon.org.
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 throughout communities.
President Biden has designated October as National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and the Red Ribbon Resolution for 2024 has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to support the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.
We encourage you to follow DEA’s social media accounts on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Flickr to help spread awareness. Additional resources including the Red Ribbon Pledge, posters, and PSAs can be found in the Tool Kit on www.dea.gov/redribbon.
# # #
