News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2006
Contact: Gordon Taylor
Number: 916-480-7200

South Sacramento Children Pledge to be
Drug-Free in Honor of Red Ribbon Week
Multi-Agency Effort to Kick Off Red Ribbon Week at Charles M. Goethe Middle School

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest drug prevention effort, and this year marks the 21st anniversary of the anti-drug campaign, which is celebrated October 23-31. This year the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sacramento Police Department, and the California Red Ribbon Coalition will kick off the week at Charles M. Goethe Middle School, located in South Sacramento.

Red Ribbon Week began after drug traffickers in Mexico kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in March 1985. The Red Ribbon Campaign is dedicated to helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the cause for which he gave his life, the fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction. By gathering together in special events and wearing a Red Ribbon during the last week in October, Americans from all walks of life demonstrate their opposition to drugs.

“The young people here in South Sacramento at times face extraordinary challenges of illegal drug use and related crime in their neighborhoods. By kicking off Red Ribbon Week at Goethe Middle School, we are educating our youths about drug-free choices and the opportunities available to them should they make this right decision. Red Ribbon week demonstrates our courage to be drug-free and pays homage to all men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice of our nation’s struggle against drug trafficking and abuse,” stated DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gordon Taylor.

At the Charles M. Goethe Middle School youths can expect to see a DEA helicopter landing, demonstrations from the DEA Sacramento Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team, and various units from the Sacramento Police Department, including the K-9 and School Resource Officers Units.

Red Ribbon week started as a local effort in Camarena’s hometown of Calexico, California when Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Camarena’s high school friend, Henry Lozano, created Camarena Clubs to ensure fond memories of Kiki. The National Family Partnership (NFP) created a national campaign of observance, which starts the third week of October each year, proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. Reagan. Approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events every year.

For news about events scheduled in your areas, please check the web at www.dea.gov or contact your local DEA Office.

The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.