School prepares for Red Ribbon Week

Next week, Ekalaka Public Schools will observe Red Ribbon Week.

The last week of October each year is designated as Red Ribbon Week. This is an annual national drug prevention campaign that encourages Americans to wear red ribbons in memory of U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was kidnapped and tortured to death by members of a Mexican drug cartel in 1985.

Camarena, who was a former Marine, firefighter and police officer, joined the DEA in the 1970s, and had become well known in both the United States and Latin America for his successes in busting up drug trafficking groups.

Shortly after Camarena's death, his high school friends and Rep. Duncan Hunter launched “Camarena Clubs” in Camarena's hometown of Calexico, California, where hundreds of members pledged to lead drug-free lives in his honor.

The pledges were delivered to then-First Lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference focusing on combating youth drug use.

In 1988, Reagan chaired the first National Red Ribbon Week, which was proclaimed by Congress as an annual campaign that would take place during the last week of October every year.

Ekalaka Public Schools will have themed dress up days all of next week. This year, the theme for Red Ribbon week is “Drug Free looks like Me!” and the week’s theme for bullying is “ I put the ‘I’ in Kind.” Following is a list of themes and what students may wear next week.

• Monday, October 25 - COWBOY UP Against Bullying and Drugs! - Wear Western Attire

• Tuesday, October 26 - Follow DREAMS, Not Bullies and Drugs! - Wear pajamas

• Wednesday, October 27 - We’re RED-y to make a Difference! - Wear RED, lots of it!

• Thursday, October 28 - Say BOO to Bullying and Drugs! - Wear Halloween costumes