Red Ribbon Week Honors Former DEA Agent, Asks Youth To Commit To Drug-Free Lifestyle

An 11-year DEA Veteran, Camarena was close to exposing a multi-billion-dollar Marijuana and Cocaine pipeline operating throughout Mexico. He was on his way to meet his wife for lunch when five armed men surrounded his car and took him. His wife and three children never saw him again.

Following his death, Camarena Clubs formed in his hometown of Calexico, California Club members and teachers wore Red Ribbons and pledged to live drug free to honor the sacrifices Camarena made. Eventually red ribbon gained popularity and spread across the country with Red Ribbon Week being observed October 23rd - October 31st. This year’s theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free,” which inspires everyone to play their part in cultivating safe, healthy, drug-free communities.

“Red Ribbon Week remembers the life of a tenacious DEA Agent who refused to back down from Drug traffickers,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Kiki said one person can make a difference. I believe it’s important to keep his memory alive. It’s also a great opportunity to reach out to area schools and reinforce living a drug-free life.”

DEA Miami Field Division will present at 10 area schools during Red Ribbon Week. These include high school students all the way down to second graders. A big part of DEA’s message—aside from living Drug free—is making smart choices.

“Making smart choices needs to become a habit,” said Reuter. “If you do that, you’ll minimize the times you find yourself in dangerous or risky situations.”

More than 107,000 Americans died from drug poisonings last year, so it’s critical to reach young students.

“They need to know what’s out there and the dangers associated with it,” said Beverly Jones, a Deerfield Beach Elementary School second grade teacher. “We need to show them how to be Drug free because peer pressure is a real thing. I have a child in middle school and one in high school and the pressure is there. They tell me that.”

Speak To Your Children

To mark the beginning of Red Ribbon Week 2024, Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging parents to speak to their children about the dangers of Substance Abuse. Red Ribbon Week is the largest Drug-Abuse Prevention campaign in the nation. Each year, more than 80 million Americans show their commitment to a Drug-Free lifestyle by wearing a Red Ribbon. However, more than 100,000 people still die nationwide to Drug overdoses each year, mainly because of Illicit Fentanyl brought across the wide open U.S.-Mexico Border. Studies show that the fastest growing age group dying of Fentanyl Poisoning is children younger than 14. To help parents express the dangers of Substance Abuse to their children, Attorney General Moody is sharing helpful resources.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “We are in the grips of a National Opioid Crisis, with more than 100,000 Americans dying from Drug Overdoses every year, mainly due to Illicit Fentanyl from Mexico. But it isn’t just a problem for adults—the fastest growing age group dying of Fentanyl Poisoning is children younger than 14. During Red Ribbon Week, I’m urging parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of Drug Use and remind them that one pill can kill.”

Last month, Attorney General Moody recognized Florida heroes who saved a 7-month-old baby who overdosed on Fentanyl. First responders arrived on the scene and used Naloxone, a Rapid Opioid Overdose Reversal Medication, to save the baby’s life. Attorney General Moody’s Helping Heroes program provided the Naloxone used by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department first responders.

To help parents talk with children about drug dangers, Attorney General Moody is sharing the following resources:

Fast Facts on Fentanyl Toolkit: Attorney General Moody released this toolkit to help parents protect children from digital drug dealers. The resource highlights the dangers of Fentanyl and helps parents talk to their children about the dangers of Drug Use: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/files/pdf/page/1598F7F0F1874E3F852588600057D3AE/general-information-fast-facts-fentanyl.pdf

Dose of Reality Florida: This online resource provides information about Opioid Misuse and Addiction, Safe Storage of Prescription Painkillers and guidelines on responding to an Opioid Overdose: https://doseofrealityfl.com

Treatment Atlas: Treatment Atlas is a tool to help Floridians struggling with Addiction find specialized treatment. This free and confidential resource contains information about nearly 500 treatment facilities across Florida alone: https://treatmentatlas.org

Red Ribbon Week began in 1988 following the tragic death of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique Camarena. Today, this week-long event is an annual catalyst promoting healthy, Drug-Free Lifestyles.

Learn more about Red Ribbon Week here: https://www.redribbon.org