Red Ribbon became a tradition in 1985. In memory of, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent, who was killed in Mexico. To remember her bravery, friends and family wore red badges of satin. Parents began using Kiki’s story to share how harmful drugs like, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other substances can affect their children. Kiki’s story inspired many people around America, and was a prime example for the Red Ribbon Drug campaign.
Red Ribbon website allows viewers to send money to their campaign for drug-addiction retreatment and various rehabilitation facilities. The website began running in 1985, every dollar donated to prevention, is 7 dollars to drug-addiction treatment.
Red Ribbon week encourages students around the country to participate in a list of activities to help visualize the negative affects of drugs. When these activities are completed, the students earn money for their schools’ counseling facilities, a place where students can feel safe discussing drug addiction. Various challenges like, “Make a drug free pact with your friends. Promise to hold each other accountable to it,” and “have a door decorating contest,” to get students actively involved in stopping drug addiction. A large list of these challenges can be found on The Red Ribbon Week website, challenge West!
Several hashtags are trending on Instagram, such as “#livenatruallyhigh,” Red Ribbon week does activities related to social media to keep teenagers involved and aware of the side effects of drug use. Website viewers can submit home videos or images about drug use to be featured on Red Ribbons’ social medias and website.
Teachers use Red Ribbons’ website to bring awareness to their students, by producing various activities and knowledge on the hurtful impacts of drugs.
Red Ribbon brings awareness, advocates for children, and supplies resources for anyone struggling with drug addiction, and make parents aware of the signs their teen could be doing drugs. The Red Ribbon organization is a comfortable place for teens to reach out and provides help with drug addiction, as well as supporting many charities to build rehabilitation centers.
The Red Ribbons’ main purpose is to represent bravery through something as simple as wearing red, but also with the different themes they do every year which can be found on their website. The Red Ribbon organization acts as a rallying cry for communities to inform young people and promote involvement in drug-prevention initiatives.
