RED RIBBON WEEK

The Los Alamitos Police Department along with millions of citizens across the United States will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week every year. This is your opportunity to join us in declaring we are Drug Free and Proud.

Red Ribbon Week was established in 1986 to honor Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent who was killed while investigating a drug gang in Mexico.

Enrique Camarena was helping fight the war against drugs within the United States. In 1985, Agent Camarena was kidnapped and tortured for information that he had gathered throughout his investigation. His kidnappers finally killed him after several weeks of torture.

It wasn't until 1986, one year after Enrique Camarena's death that the citizens of California started wearing red ribbons, showing their support in the war against drugs. This was the beginning of the grass-roots campaign against the illegal use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Red Ribbon Week soon spread throughout the United States.

When students, teachers, parents, and citizens of the community wear the red ribbon, it symbolizes everyone's commitment to preventing drug abuse in our society today. This week long celebration allows for educators, students, community groups, and others to focus on the work being done to stop the spread of drugs and draw attention to millions of youngsters who have pledged to live a drug free life.