El Paso Red Ribbon Events

History of Red Ribbon Week

Enrique (Kiki) Camarena

Thursday February 7, 1985, at approximately 2 p.m. Enrique (Kiki) Camarena (37), a DEA agent stashed his badge and his service revolver in his desk drawer and headed for a luncheon date with his wife, Mika (34). Kiki had been in Mexico four (4) and one-half (1/2) years on the trail of Mexico’s marijuana and cocaine barons. He was due to be reassigned in three (3) weeks, having come dangerously close to unlocking a multibillion dollar drug pipeline which he suspected extended into the highest reaches of the Mexican army, police, and government.

As he stepped through the consulate portal into the sunlight of a warm Guadalajara winter day, he moved to his pickup truck, turned off the truck’s burglar alarm with his key, and unlocked his door. He was interrupted before he could get into the cab and grab his two-way radio, with which he could alert his partners. According to DEA’s reconstruction of events, five (5) men appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him into a beige Volkswagen Atlantic, threw a jacket over Kiki’s head, and sped away. This was the last time anyone but his kidnappers would see him alive.

Kiki Camarena’s body was found one month later in a shallow grave, 70 miles from Michoacan, Mexico. He had been tortured, beaten, and brutally murdered. Mika would have to tell her three (3) sons, Enrique (11), Daniel (6), and Erick (4) that their daddy would not be coming home again. News of the tragedy hit newspapers, radio stations, and television news broadcast.

As a result in 1988, with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons, the first red ribbon campaign, sponsored by the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth (now the National Family Partnership), was celebrated. The red ribbon became their symbol to eliminate the demand for drugs. This 8-day celebration became the annual catalyst to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, work places, and communities.

DRUG FREE PLEDGE

I pledge to stay in school and learn the things that I need to know.

I pledge to make the world a better place for kids like me to grow.

I pledge to keep my dreams alive and be all that I can be.

I pledge to help others and to keep myself drug free.

El Paso Field Division Events

The El Paso Office attended the annual Red Ribbon event put on by Douglas Elementary School in El Paso, Texas. Special Agents John Clemons and Raymond.

Thompson talked to hundreds of students throughout the day about what Red Ribbon weeks means and what they can do to stay drug free.

SA Raymond Thompson talking to students about DEA and Red Ribbon week	SA Brian Clemons and SA Raymond Thompson with some of the students

Annual Bi-National Red Ribbon Rally
“Don’t Be Tricked Drugs Are not a Treat”

In Picture Ms.Gloria Cordero, SSA Matthew Taylor, Ms Debbie VanVelkinburgh, SSA James Armstrong and his sons	DEA employee Ms Debbie VanVelkinburgh	DEA employee Ms. Gloria Cordero

On Saturday, October 25, 2008, at the Cohen Stadium in El Paso, Texas, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), El Paso Office along with members from the National Guard participated in the Rio Grande Safe Communities 6 th Annual Bi-National Red Ribbon Rally. Participants were not only from El Paso, Texas but were from Las Cruces, New Mexico, surrounding areas, and from Cuidad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Thousands of students, parents with their children enjoyed all kinds of entertainment. They also learned from Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Taylor about the Red Ribbon Campaign and what it means and stands for. The event was attended by several mayors from numerous cities to include the mayors from El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The Honorable Mayor John Cook from El Paso, Texas and the Honorable Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico signed a proclamation designating that both cities will work together to reduce substance abuse and violence in their communities.

The DEA had a large exhibit that included an Enrique “Kiki” Camarena banner and story along with numerous drug exhibits and educational items. Administrative Support Specialist Gloria Cordero and Receptionist Debbie Vanvelkinberg gave out red ribbons, candy, and drug prevention material.

The event included a costume contest for children and a health fair. There were approximately 40 booths and exhibits from non-profits and for profit organizations. Some of the services offered at the health fair were as follows: cholesterol check, bone density check, flu shots and children’s immunizations were also provided. Other booths and exhibits provided drug and alcohol preventions information and materials. The El Paso Fire Department had a fire truck on site with other rescue equipment. It was a DEA and community effort in educating the community about drug awareness and prevention.