RED RIBBON WEEK

October 27th thru 31st

Red Ribbon Week is the most far-reaching and well-known drug prevention event in America. The National Family Partnership,
which coordinates Red Ribbon activities nationally, estimates that over 80 million Americans participate in Red Ribbon events.

Activities
Dress up days

Monday Oct. 27
Dress in your favorite college/university T-shirt.

Tuesday, Oct. 28th
Wear red, white and blue attire -- sorry no hats, and be sure its appropriate for school.

Wednesday, Oct. 29th
Dress up by wearing red.

Thursday, Oct. 30th
Dress in your favorite professional sports team wear.

Friday, Oct. 31th
Wear purple and gold day.

The Story Behind The Symbol

	Enrique "Kiki" Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a  difference.    Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it.  "I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."  The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch.  Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death.  In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena's memory, the red ribbon.  The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children. In 1997, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse began committing resources to ensure the continuation of the Red Ribbon Campaign in Texas, as well as the hopes and beliefs behind this grassroots effort to protect children from the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
Belvidere South Middle School Celebrates RED RIBBON WEEK! "100% Me Drug Free" RED RIBBON WEEK 2008 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING RED RIBBON WEEK at BSMS