Red Ribbon Week occurs each year from October 23 -31. But how did it start? Here is Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena’s story.

Kiki became a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1974. He was very concerned about the drug problem in this country and wanted to make a difference by helping the people that he cared about.

While Kiki was on special assignment in Mexico, he was abducted, tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers.

Kiki's wife, Geneva "Mika" Camarena, mourned the loss of her husband. Kiki's children Enrique, Daniel, and Eric mourned the loss of their father. And the nation mourned the loss of a hero.

Kiki gave his life in the fight against drugs, and the public wanted to do something to remember the ultimate sacrifice that he paid. Red Ribbon Week started in 1985 in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California, and soon gained momentum across California and then the rest of the country. The first National Red Ribbon Week was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988, and NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year.

Let’s keep the momentum and the conversation going. Talk to your kids about drugs. Even if you think there is no way they might do drugs, have the conversation. You never know what they might encounter, and you want them to be prepared. We challenge you to have a conversation with your family every day this week about how to spot and avoid drugs. Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 23-31 | Get Smart About Drugs