First in a series of articles about Red Ribbon Week.
By Ra’Liah Griffin
The Dragon Echo
Red Ribbon Week started in the 1980s following the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, at the hands of drug dealers.
“Kiki” Camarena was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when he was 9, according to the dea.gov Web site. He earned a degree in criminal justice, served in the Marine Corps, worked as a firefighter and then as a police officer. He eventually joined the Drug Enforcement Agency after seeing how many of his friends got in trouble for drugs.
Kiki was sent to work undercover in Mexico, and for weeks he lived among drug lords. When his work was nearly finished, the drug dealers found out who he really was and tortured and killed him. He gave his life in the fight against drugs.
To honor Kiki, his family and friends wore red ribbons. As his story spread, others began to wear red ribbons, too. Now every year millions of Americans celebrate Red Ribbon Week to remember Kiki and to take a stand – just as he did – against illegal drugs.
Tray Jones and Tiffany Emborgo of Student Council are two of the students organizing this week’s Red Ribbon activities at Nacogdoches High School.
“We pass out red ribbons so everyone is wearing them,” Tray said. “It’s really important, because it’s the way we show it’s something we care about. We also make a donation each year to an organization that is against drug abuse.”
Tiffany said, “We are trying to raise awareness.”
Tiffany said STUCO wants to encourage all students to stay free of dependence on substances. She said people should also focus on their mental health, so that they develop healthy coping skills.
“Instead of using drugs, people should spend time with family and friends,” she said. “Find a hobby you’re passionate about.”
Tray said students should not substitute drugs for other things that can make them happy.
Tray said one of the most common substance abuse problems, currently, is vaping.
“People don’t understand the magnitude of what they’re putting in their bodies,” he said. “In a way, it’s worse than cigarettes.”
The Dragon Echo will report on drug awareness issues during Red Ribbon Week, as we also feature photos of students who are taking a stand by dressing for each day’s theme.
The theme days for Red Ribbon Week are:
Monday – Pajama Day
Tuesday – Crazy socks and wear red day
Wednesday – Decades Day
Thursday – Western Day
Friday – Spirit Day