"I have the POWER to be DRUG-FREE" is the theme for this year's Red Ribbon Week celebration, which runs October 23-31, 2004.  The week-long campaign facilitates education and prevention/intervention programs aimed at promoting a drug-free community.

Red Ribbon Week grew out of efforts of the people of Calexico, California, the hometown of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena.  While working undercover in Mexico in 1985 to gather information on local drug traffickers, Camarena's identity was discovered and he was abducted, tortured and killed.  Within weeks of his death, Camarena's friends and neighbors launched Camarena Clubs.  Members of the clubs pledged to live drug-free in honor of the sacrifices made by Camarena and others like him.  This began the continuing tradition of wearing and displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs.

The mission of the Red Ribbon campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America.