The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is encouraging communities nationwide to Go Red for Red Ribbon – an effort to continue the momentum and promote awareness of the need to prevent drug misuse and abuse.

First Lady Melania Trump joined DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon to celebrate the official launch of the 2019 Red Ribbon campaign earlier this month, dedicated to preserving the memory of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena – a DEA special agent who was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in Mexico by drug traffickers.

Red Ribbon Week furthers the cause for which he gave his life, as communities across the country pledge to fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction.

(First Lady Melania Trump attends and makes remarks at the DEA’s National Red Ribbon Rally. Courtesy of Fox News and YouTube. Posted on Oct 7, 2019.)

“Today’s Red Ribbon rally actively engaged our youth and resulted in so many of our children choosing to take the pledge and to live drug free,” said First Lady Melania Trump.

“I applaud the tough work that the Drug Enforcement Administration, alongside so many of our agencies, is doing in the fight against drug abuse.”

“Agent Camarena’s story is, unfortunately, all too common and I want to thank Mrs. Camarena and her entire family for choosing to share their story to help drive the changes needed.”

“I hope my visit this morning helps to highlight the importance of Red Ribbon Week in schools and communities nationwide.”

Go Red for Red Ribbon brings awareness to living a drug-free life by lighting up buildings, landmarks, businesses and bridges in red during Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31.

Communities are also invited to expand upon Go Red for Red Ribbon by lighting up classrooms, offices, libraries and other locations in red using red bulbs, red gel filters or red balloons and decorations.

(Learn More in the complete DEA National Red Ribbon Rally panel discussion. Courtesy of the DEA and YouTube. Posted on Oct 16, 2019.)

Participants can post Go Red for Red Ribbon photos on social media using the hashtags #DEARedRibbon and #GoRed4RedRibbon.

Red Ribbon Week, celebrated annually during the last week of October, highlights the importance of living a drug-free life.

It presents an opportunity for parents, educators and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year.

During Red Ribbon Week, youth and adults around the nation pledge to increase their knowledge by learning more about the destructive effects of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and renew their commitment to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

(DEA Take Back Day public service announcement reminding communities about the upcoming prescription drug take back day on October 26, 2019. Courtesy of the DEA and YouTube. Posted on Oct 11, 2019.)

The National Red Ribbon Campaign is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program.

“Red Ribbon week is a time to remember those who have given everything in the fight against dangerous drugs,” explained Acting Administrator Dhillon.

“DEA honors their sacrifice by working with communities and prevention specialists to encourage the next generation to sign the Red Ribbon pledge and live drug-free.”

Red Ribbon Week started after the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico.

After Special Agent Camarena’s death, people started wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice.

Today, decades after his death, millions of people celebrate Red Ribbon Week by wearing red ribbons, participating in community anti-drug events and pledging to live drug-free lives.

In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, DEA partnered with Google to develop an interactive way to explore the life of Special Agent Camarena through the lens of Google Earth.

Starting today, you can visit http://g.co/redribbonweek  to see key places and images from where Special Agent Camarena lived and worked.

(Watch this special video from Google Earth to learn more about the week’s inspiration, the sacrifice of fallen DEA Special Agent “Kiki” Camarena. Courtesy of the DEA, Mike Trinh and and YouTube. Posted on Oct 15, 2019.)

To Learn More learn more about DEA’s Red Ribbon efforts, including a toolkit for schools and communities to get involved in Red Ribbon Week, go to www.dea.gov/redribbon.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative has been nominated in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.

Winners to be Announced at the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East – Register Today

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

The highlight of the 2019 AST Homeland Security Awards Program will be the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East, November 20, 2019 in the Jacob Javits Exhibition Center, from 12:00pm – 2:30pm, featuring keynote address by Bill Bratton, former police commissioner of the NYPD, BPD, and former chief of LAPD.

The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory
• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

ISC East is the Northeast’s largest security industry event and your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to the show.

Exhibiting and/or Attending the 2019 ISC East Conference?

Thank take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to take a break from the show – Invite your team, guests, clients and show visitors to a lovely and affordable plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for  a fabulous networking opportunity!

Congratulations to DEA in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program!

To register, click on the banner below, or go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert and SWORD Technologies.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.

Learn More…

DEA Accepting Vaping Devices on National RX Drug Take Back Day