HISTORY OF RED RIBBON WEEK

Since 1988, the last week in October has been designated as National Red
Ribbon Week. The symbol behind it has a story. It's the story of Enrique
"Kiki" Camarena. The story of how one man can make a difference.

In 1972, 24-year-old Camarena joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served
for two years. After working as a fireman and police investigator, he
decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Camarena's mother
tried to talk him out of joining the DEA, but Camarena told her, "I can't
not do this. I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."

Camarena joined the DEA at their Calexico, Ca. office. In 1977, he moved to
their Fresno office, and in 1981, he was assigned to the Guadalajara
office. Camarena began infiltrating drug trafficking operations and
successfully helped break up many of them. Becoming known all over the
United States and Latin America, he tried to keep his face out of the
newspapers and off television.

In 1985, Camarena was working undercover in Mexico investigating a major
drug cartel. The cartel was believed to include officers in the Mexican
army, police and government. On Feb. 7, Camarena was on the way to meet his
wife for lunch when five men shoved him into a car. One month later,
authorities found Camarena's body in a shallow grave. He had been tortured
to death.

Camarena's legend grew more after his death. He received the
Administrator's Award of 1988, the highest award given by the DEA. He
appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in November of 1988.

Friends and neighbors, sick of drug destruction, formed coalitions. They
began wearing red badges of satin in honor of Camarena's battle against
illegal drugs. Some of these coalitions embraced Camarena's belief that one
man can make a difference. These coalitions adopted the symbol of
Camarena's memory, the red ribbon.