| On February 7, 1985 at 2:00 p.m. the US Drug | | | | Red Ribbon Campaign in an effort to reach million of |
| Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique | | | | US children and expand Camarena's dedication to |
| (Kiki) Camarena was attacked by five men while | | | | prevent drug use around the world. |
| opening his truck doors intending to drive and meet | | | | Since Camarena's murder, the Red Ribbon Celebration |
| his wife for lunch. The beige Volkswagen where he | | | | and every associated campaign has touched the lives |
| was forced in disappeared that warm winter | | | | of millions of people each year. Annually, during |
| afternoon in the streets of Guadalajara, Mexico. One | | | | October 23rd to 31st, more than 80 million young |
| month later, Camarena's body was found savagely | | | | people and adults show their commitment to a |
| and grotesquely murdered. | | | | healthy, drug-free life by wearing or displaying the |
| When Camarena joined the US DEA, after having | | | | Red Ribbon. This nationwide effort has become a |
| served as a Marine and becoming a police officer, his | | | | major force for raising public awareness and |
| mother tried to convince him to resign, but he was | | | | mobilizing communities to combat alcohol, drug and |
| determined to make a difference. In 1974, he was | | | | tobacco use among youth. |
| transferred to Guadalajara, Mexico, the center at the | | | | Years later, the red ribbon gained international appeal |
| time of the drug trafficking empire and working as an | | | | as a symbol of the fight against AIDS when it was |
| undercover agent was investigating a major drug | | | | worn by Jeremy Irons at the 1991 Tony Awards. |
| cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican | | | | Created by the New York-based Visual AIDS Artists |
| army, the police and the government. A firm believer | | | | Caucus, this visual symbol demonstrated compassion |
| of the notion that even one person can make a | | | | for people living with AIDS and support to their |
| difference in this world, Camarena, at the age of 37, | | | | families. Inspired by the yellow ribbons honoring |
| sacrificed his life to prevent drugs from entering the | | | | American soldiers servicing in the Gulf war and the |
| United States schools and streets. | | | | US hostages of the American Embassy in Tehran, |
| Honoring his memory, family and friends from his | | | | the color red was chosen for its connection to blood |
| hometown in Calexico, California began wearing red | | | | and as a symbol of passion. After becoming a |
| badges of satin signifying his battle against illegal | | | | politically correct fashion accessory, the Red Ribbon is |
| drugs. Soon, coalitions were formed and adopted the | | | | worn on December 1st, each year in memory and |
| symbol of Camarena's memory: the red ribbon. In | | | | support of the HIV/AIDS victims and also to increase |
| 1988, three years after his torture and death, the | | | | public awareness and thus, research funding. |
| National Family Partnership organized the first National | | | | |