We all had a good time celebrating Red Ribbon Week, but have you ever wondered where Red Ribbon week came from?

Well I’m here to tell you all about it.

Red Ribbon Week was created after the kidnapping, torture, and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. It first started in New Mexico.

David Lozano, Deputy Assistant of the President,in his younger years was a high-school friend of the slain DEA agent Enrique. So along with the Californians for Drug Free Youth Board of Directors, he created the first Statewide Red Ribbon Campaign in memory of his high school friend  in 1985.

After his murder, citizens in Camarena’s hometown [in California] donned red ribbons in his honor. The red ribbon became their symbolic statement for prevention awareness — through Red Ribbon Week information and activities — in order to reduce the demand for illegal drugs.

Now Red Ribbon week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States.