Red Ribbon Week is a drug and violence awareness campaign annually practiced during October in the United States. The campaign’s central mission is to promote prevention and awareness of abuse and substance use as well as other destructive behaviors found damaging to our youth.

The operation was nationally recognized in 1988, with President Ronald and First Lady Nancy Reagan, serving as the Honorary Chairs.

The campaign was designed after the kidnapping and brutal murder of Drug Enforcement Administration, (DEA) Agent Camarena in 1985. Before his death, the agent was ordered to work undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico for over four years. His efforts led to the discovery of a multimillion dollar soporifics manufacturing operation located in Chihuahua, Mexico. Camarena’s successful breakthroughs angered many leaders of several different drug cartels. As a result, a group of those criminals captured and killed key informants, including Camarena.

The DEA began an investigation, which revealed the horrific torture Agent Camarena experienced before his death. Collected evidence from audiotapes exposed doctors who kept the agent alive long enough for his interrogation to continue. Camarena eventually died and was buried on a ranch far from where he was killed. Camarena’s death shows how far drug traffickers go in maintaining control and power.

Today, Red Ribbon Week is the most efficient prevention and awareness campaign in the United States.

However, this nationwide campaign is not practiced at Alliance High School. Why is that?

George Clear, third year principal at Alliance High school states that ‘…This educational outreach on anti-drug use requires the promotion and support of a sponsor’. Grade schools and private schools around the panhandle are privileged to have these sponsors.

Although Alliance High does not have the consolation of a promoter, there are still some sufficient ways that can be practiced to encourage students to stay away from drugs and refrain from abuse. Examples are; emphasizing the aftereffects of drug use on a person’s future, connecting with your friends and avoiding negative peer pressure, getting involved with activities you love, planning ahead to protect yourself from drugs, taking responsibility for your health, safety, and your life, and last but not least, getting help.