Princeton campuses are recognizing Red Ribbon Week Oct. 24-28 by planning special activities and spirit days to send a reminder to students about maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in reaching millions of Americans during a week in October every year.

By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena.

According to PISD counselors, the tradition of displaying Red Ribbons has become a symbol of intolerance toward the use of drugs in our community and nationwide.

Special Agent Camarena was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, office where he was on the trail of the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In 1985, he was close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline.

But on Feb. 7, 1985, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

Shortly after Kiki’s death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Kiki’s high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, Ca. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifice made by Kiki Camarena.

These pledges were delivered to First Lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference of parents combating youth drug use. Several state parent organizations then called on community groups to wear red ribbons during a week in October as a symbol of their drug-free commitment.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.

School counselors say Red Ribbon Week has come to be known as a symbol of commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Spirit days planned throughout PISD to recognize Red Ribbon Week include:

PHS

Oct. 24: Be smart. Don’t do drugs. Nerd day.

Oct. 25: Team up against drugs. Wear favorite jersey.

Oct. 26: Make future bright. Wear neon.

Oct. 27: Say “peace out” to drugs. Dress ’70s/tie dye.

Oct. 28: “Red”-y to defeat drugs. Wear red.

Clark

Monday: Start the week off right by wearing something RED. Let’s “red out” drugs.

Tuesday: Use your head – don’t use drugs. Crazy hat day.

Wednesday: Too smart to start – Dress as your favorite nerd.

Thursday: Twist and shout – drugs are out. ‘50s day.

Friday: From head to toe, be drug free. Crazy hair and sock day.

Huddleston

Oct. 24 – “We’re RED-y to take a stand against drugs and bullying.” Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week.

Oct. 25 – “We’re too BRIGHT for drugs.” Wear neon colors.

Oct. 26 – “Catch the wave to a drug free life.” Wear your Hawaiian gear.

Oct. 27 – “PAWS-itively drug free.” Wear your Panthers gear.

Oct. 28 – “Say BOO to drugs.” Wear your favorite Halloween themed outfit.

Godwin

Oct. 24 – Be a hero, and say no to drugs. Wear a super hero T-shirt.

Oct. 25 – Pick up a book, instead of drugs. Dress like your favorite book character.

Oct. 26 – Red-y to be drug free. Wear red.

Oct. 27 – Our future is too bright for drugs. Wear neon/bright colors.

Oct. 28 – Cheer for the right team, Princeton Panthers are drug free. Wear Princeton spirit gear/maroon and white.

Harper

Monday: Our future is too bright to do drugs! Wear neon clothing.

Tuesday: I elect to be drug free! Wear red, white and blue.

Wednesday: Join the fight against drugs! Wear camo.

Thursday: Harper is too smart for drugs! Dress nerdy.

Friday: Panthers team up against drugs! Wear Panther spirit wear.

Lacy

Monday, Oct. 24: May the drug free force be with you. Dress like a Star Wars character.

Tuesday, Oct. 25: I elect to be drug free. Wear red, white and blue.

Wednesday, Oct. 26: Join the fight against drugs. Wear camo.

Thursday, Oct. 27: Team up against drugs. Wear your favorite team jersey or shirt.

Friday, Oct. 28: Say “Boo!” to drugs. Wear a Halloween shirt.

Smith

Monday, Oct. 24: I pledge to be drug free. Wear red, white and blue.

Tuesday, Oct. 25: Tell drugs to take a hike. Wear camping/outdoor clothes.

Wednesday, Oct. 26: May the drug-free force be with you. Dress like a Star Wars character.

Thursday, Oct. 27: Use your head, don’t do drugs. Wear a hat.

Friday, Oct. 28: Sock out drugs. Wear silly socks.