Lubbock Regional MHMR Center Honors Memory

Red Ribbon Week
October 23-31, 2003

October 10, 2003

Taken in part from the US Drug Enforcement Agency Website 

(http://www.justice.gov/dea/ongoing/redribbon02.html)

Red Ribbon Week is an important tradition for the drug prevention community. The event that has become a national symbol of drug prevention, began as a grassroots tribute to a fallen Drug Enforcement Agency hero, Special Agent Enrique Camarena who died at the hands of drug traffickers. Within weeks of his death in March of 1985, Camarena’s Congressman, Duncan Hunter, and high school friend Henry Lozano, launched Camarena Clubs in Imperial Valley, California, Camarena’s home. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all Americans. From these clubs emerged the Red Ribbon Week Campaign.

Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized and celebrated, helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life. The Red Ribbon Campaign also became a symbol of support for the DEA’s efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. By wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October, Americans demonstrate their ardent opposition to drugs. They pay homage not only to Special Agent Camarena, but to all men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation’s struggle against drug trafficking and abuse.

The staff of Lubbock Regional MHMR Center, in partnership with the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and many other community agencies, will be involved in a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness of the drug epidemic in our society and its negative impact on all of us.  We encourage all citizens to become involved; please check local newspapers for specific opportunities.

For additional information regarding Red Ribbon Week activities and/or drug prevention:

Contact:         Glenn Larsen, Coordinator
                        Prevention Resource Center
                        Lubbock Regional MHMR Center
                        P.O. Box 2828
                        Lubbock, TX 79408-2828

                         Main Line:  (806) 766-0310
                        Toll Free:  (800) 687-7581