Red Ribbon Week starts Monday, Oct. 24 at Paducah ISD. Monday will be “Life is Poppin’ Drug Free” so wear red. Tuesday’s theme is “I Have the Power to Be Drug Free” so wear a hearo shirt or costume. On Wednesday, the theme is “Our School is Drug Free.” Wear orange, black and white like a Paducah Dragon shirt. On Thursday, the theme is “It’s Too Bright for Drugs” so wear bright or neon colors.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. 

Red Ribbon Week started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico.

After his death, people started wearing red ribbons to honor Kiki’s sacrifice. Today, millions of people celebrate Red Ribbon Week by wearing red ribbons, participating in community anti-drug events, and pledging to live drug-free lives. The first  National Red Ribbon Week was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988. NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year.

In many communities the celebration has turned into a variety of activities implemented throughout the month of October. These activities are meant to demonstrate the importance of making healthy and smart decisions throughout life so that your dreams and goals can be achieved.