Red Ribbon Week began in response to the brutal murder of D.E.A. agent, Enrique Camarena by drug traffickers. The first Red Ribbon Campaign was organized in 1986 by a grassroots organization of parents dedicated to protecting communities from the destruction caused by alcohol and drug abuse. The campaign was created so that Americans can express our firm conviction to create visible support for drug free communities. What began as a Red Ribbon campaign to commemorate his death, has developed into a year round celebration to highlight the successful prevention efforts that include parents, schools, law enforcement, the faith community and all other community resources working in a unified way to develop an attitude of intolerance to substance abuse.