Red Ribbon Week began in California in 1985 after a DEA agent, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, was killed by drug traffickers while undercover in Mexico. To honor Camarena’s death people wore red ribbons to bring awareness to the problems drugs were causing. Red Ribbon Week serves as a campaign for drug and alcohol use prevention. This week is about learning the dangers of substance abuse. This campaign takes place in thousands of schools across the country every year during the week of October 23rd through the 31st.

Tilghman participates in Red Ribbon Week as well, but this year is going to be slightly different. On Wednesday a video about drugs and alcohol will be shown in your science class. Additionally, there will be red papers around the school with facts about drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, students and staff will not be able to dress up for red ribbon week this year, however, there will be a raffle where you will get the opportunity to win one of the four prizes being given away. There will be a raffle box in the front office by Mrs. Bickerstaff’s desk with red papers for students to write their names and one fact that you saw on the red posters around the school. The winners of the raffle will be announced Friday during sevent hour.

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and longest drug prevention campaign and Tilghman would love to see you participating in the ongoing goal to keep kids drug-free.