Red Ribbon - Week

Red Ribbon Week - began today, billed as the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, dating back to 1988. It was inspired by Drug Enforcement Agency special agent Kiki Camarena, who was trying to crack a billion-dollar drug pipeline in Mexico before he was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by Mexican drug lords in 1985.Research shows that young people at this age are at the most influential and riskiest time in their lives—drug use at age 12 doubles by age 14 from 3.6% to 7.0% and more than doubles by age 16 to 15.1%.1 Children who learn about the dangers of drug use are half as likely to use drugs,2 which is why the Partnership for a Drug-Free Texas aims to reach these impressionable students at an opportune time to educate and inspire them.