Red Ribbon Week The tragic reasons of how it all began... Enrique "Kiki" Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a  difference.  Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it.  "I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."  The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch.  Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death.  In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference.  The symbol of Camarena's memory,  the red ribbon.  The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children.   We have joined the many fine organiztions in the fight against drug addiction. With your help we have developed four standard phrases that you can purchase for your silicone rubber awareness bracelets / wristbands. These products are available in youth or adult sizes. Any quantity can be purchased in red starting at 100 pcs. If you choose any other color from our stock page the minimum purchase is 250 pcs. Please be aware of this fact! JUST SAY NO! IT'S UP TO ME DRUG FREE                                      PROUD 2B DRUG FREE (available in adult only) Of course you can customize your own phrase, but these are the most popular choices that we have in stock. Visit our "prices " page for quantity break down. RELATED LINKS DEA RED RIBBON WEEK NATIONAL FAMILY PARTNERSHIP RED RIBBON COALITION