Red Ribbon Week runs October 23–31, 2027, the country’s best-known drug prevention campaign. It honors a fallen DEA agent, and the National Family Partnership started the national week in 1988.
October 23 to 31, Every Year
Every year, from October 23 through Halloween. The nine days fall on the same dates each year, whatever the weekday.
Schools lead most of the activity, while the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, shares its history.
The Story of Kiki Camarena
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena joined the DEA in June 1974 and later worked out of its Guadalajara office in Mexico.
On February 7, 1985, he was kidnapped while heading to lunch with his wife. His body was found on March 5. He was 37, and he left behind his wife Mika and their three children.
His hometown answered. Congressman Duncan Hunter and Camarena’s high school friend Henry Lozano started Camarena Clubs.
Calexico got the first club on April 20, 1985, at Calexico Union High School, Camarena’s alma mater. Hundreds of members wore red ribbons and pledged to live drug-free.
In 1988, the National Family Partnership coordinated the first national Red Ribbon Week, with President and Mrs. Reagan as honorary chairs. DEA calls it an eight-day event, though today’s week runs nine days.
Why the Red Ribbon Matters
Participation is massive. More than 80 million young people and adults take part each year by wearing or displaying a red ribbon, DEA says.
The ribbon itself is a promise. Club members wore it as a pledge to live drug-free, and DEA calls it a uniform way for communities to take a stand against drugs.
Camarena’s story gives the week its weight. DEA keeps his history front and center so students know why the ribbon is red.
Community ties run through it. Hunter and Lozano, who led a group called Teen Challenge, first pictured the clubs as a way to unite communities against drug abuse.
Washington took notice early. Club members presented First Lady Nancy Reagan with a Camarena Club proclamation.
Ways to Take Part
DEA suggests events that bring a whole school or town together, such as a fun run or a poster contest.
Photo contests add friendly competition. Families and schools decorate around the national Red Ribbon theme, and the public votes on winners.
- Wear a red ribbon and hand them out to friends and family.
- Read Kiki Camarena’s story with your kids and talk about it.
- Decorate a classroom door for the week’s theme.
- Hand out ribbons and prevention information at school games.
- Talk with your teen about how to say no to drugs and alcohol.
- Lock up and safely dispose of unused prescription medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kiki Camarena?
A DEA special agent killed in the line of duty in Mexico.
Why a red ribbon?
Early supporters wore one as a drug-free pledge in his memory.
Does Red Ribbon Week end on Halloween?
Yes. Its final day falls on the holiday.