Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon campaign has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena by the Mexican drug cartel, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration by embracing DEA Agent Camerena’s belief that one person can make a difference and adopted the symbol of Camarena’s memory, the Red Ribbon. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities, throughout the country, and right here in Warren County.

Red Ribbon Week ran from October 23rd through the 31st. The theme for this year’s Red Ribbon Campaign is “Your Future is Key. Stay Drug Free” and through this theme the Warren Hills region spread a message through the community about the importance of living above the influence of drugs and alcohol to secure a positive future.

This year the Warren Hill Community Coalition received a proclamation from the Washington Borough Mayor and Town Council on October 17th. The proclamation was presented to Liz Montalvo, Warren Hills Community Coalition Coordinator, Jayani Spann, Warren Hills Regional High School, Kim Iglesias and Devon Fisher, Project Teach Warren Campus.

“Alcohol and drug abuse in this nation has reached epidemic stages and it is imperative that visible, unified prevention efforts by community members be launched to eliminate the demand for drugs,” said Mayor Higgins.

As Mayor Higgins read the proclamation, he encouraged Washington Borough residents “to participate in drug prevention education activities, not only during Red Ribbon Week, but all year long, making a visible statement that we are strongly committed to a drug-free community.”

In connection with the Mayor’s message, the Coalition sponsored the “Paint the Town RED” campaign, which provided local businesses, faith based organizations, local government officials, law enforcement, parents and community organizations with red ribbons to display throughout the week. Each ribbon included a message from the Coalition that highlighted the meaning behind the Red Ribbon and the importance of standing together as a community to take a stand against drugs and alcohol by displaying the ribbons.

For more information about Red Ribbon Week and the Warren Hills Community Coalition contact Liz Montalvo at emontalvo@fgcwc.org.