Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Agent's death still inspiring awareness 20 years later

During Red Ribbon Week, students signed pledges to stay drug- and tobacco-free.

There were helicopters landing on the school grounds at Lacoochee Elementary School. Members of the Pasco Sheriff's Office, canines included, came to other schools such as Seven Springs Elementary.

Throughout Pasco County, students of all ages were spending some time decorating doors, making posters, singing songs and signing pledges to remain drug- and tobacco-free. Some wore red ribbons or tied them on fences at their school.

It was all in honor of Red Ribbon Week, held Oct. 23-31 at schools throughout the country. If you don't know the story, the weeklong celebration is a tribute to Enrique Camarena, an undercover agent with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration who was tortured and murdered in 1985 while investigating a major drug cartel in Mexico.

According to the National Family Partnership Web site, shortly after Camarena's death, his friends and family members began wearing satin red badges and pledged to continue his fight against illegal drugs in his honor. Others joined in, including the National Family Partnership, which to this day sponsors the annual event that reaches millions of youngsters throughout the country.

This year's theme marked the 20th anniversary of Camarena's death and encouraged all who would take part to "wear your red badge proudly and have the courage to say no to drugs."