>Melania Trump and DEA to kick off
31st Red Ribbon Campaign with annual rally
WASHINGTON – First Lady Melania Trump and DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon will kick off the 31st annual Red Ribbon Campaign, the nation’s largest drug prevention effort, with the National Red Ribbon Rally on October 7.
The kickoff celebration will include DEA and other federal employees, drug abuse prevention partners, members of the military and approximately 150 students pledging to lead drug-free lives.
The National Red Ribbon Campaign began after drug traffickers in Mexico tortured and brutally murdered Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in March 1985. Red Ribbon Week is officially celebrated nationally from October 23-31; however, communities and school districts nationwide hold events throughout the month.
The Red Ribbon Campaign is dedicated to helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life – the fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction. By gathering together in special events and wearing red ribbons during the last week in October, Americans from all walks of life demonstrate their opposition to drugs.
Members of the public can watch the 2019 National Red Ribbon Rally free and live via webcast on Monday, October 7 at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT at www.dea.gov.
Media availability for pooled press only by invitation.
For a toolkit with Red Ribbon materials and more information on how to participate in Red Ribbon events, visit the Red Ribbon Campaign page on www.dea.gov.
