Red Ribbon Week began after DEA Agent Enrique Camarena was kidnapped and murdered while working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico on February 7, 1985. The events that followed Agent Camarena's abduction exposed the violence and corruption associated with drug trafficking and citizens throughout the United States could no longer turn away. In Agent Camarena's home town of Calexico, CA, community members joined together to demand an increase in prevention and early intervention efforts, wearing Red Ribbons in Agent Camarena's honor. By 1988, Red Ribbon Week became a national campaign. Today, it is the most celebrated alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign! Read More...

Irvine Community Drug Prevention (ICDP) has coordinated Red Ribbon Week in Irvine since 1987. In Irvine, Red Ribbon Week encompasses nearly a month of programs, activities and events.

ICDP Provides Training and Support to School Site Prevention Coordinators

Each school in Irvine has a "School Site Prevention Coordinator" - a parent, teacher, counselor or student volunteer responsible for coordinating and hosting Red Ribbn Week at his/her site. ICDP provides training, technical assistance and support to these coordinators.

In 1999, Debra Bianchi and Nancy Colocino co-wrote the Red Ribbon Training Manual for School Site Prevention Coordinators. That same year, the County of Orange Health Care Agency ADEPT purchased copies of the training manual for every school in Orange County. In addition, ICDP launched the Red Ribbon Coalition website as another training tool for our volunteers. The website allowed us to expand our training, technical assistance and support services to School Site Prevention Coordinators across the United States and beyond. Anyone with a computer may utilize this web based service free of charge. Each year, more than 3,000 coordinators register to use this free service. Read More...

Red Ribbon Week Dates

Red Ribbon Week is observed annually the "last full week of October." In 2010, Red Ribbon Week will be observed from Saturday, October 23 to Sunday, October 31.

Irvine Celebrates Red Ribbon Week in a BIG Way

Over the years, ICDP, the City of Irvine Community Services Department, the Irvine Police Department, IUSD Guidance Resources, and the partners of the Irvine Prevention Coalition have developed a Red Ribbon campaign that is pretty terrific. This year's Red Ribbon Week community activities include:

• Saturday, October 23 - Make a Difference Day (a National Day of Service)
• Sunday, October 24 - Faith Communities Celebration Day
• Monday, October 25 - Red Ribbon Week Spirit Day (Schools)
• Tuesday, October 26 - Red Ribbon Week Spirit Day (Schools)
• Wednesday, October 27 - Red Ribbon Week Spirit Cup Awards (City of Irvine Community Parks)
• Wednesday, October 27 - Red Ribbon Week Community Forum
• Thursday, October 28 - Red Ribbon Week Pizza Night
• Friday, October 29 - Pennies for Prevention Drop Off at City Hall
• Friday, November 12 - Middle School Violence Prevention Conference
• TBD (early November) - Prescription and Over the Counter Drugs Prevention Event

If you are hosting a Red Ribbon Community Activity in Irvine, please let us know. Call 949-559-8710