Red Ribbon Week annually honors Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique Camarena who was murdered in 1985 by drug traffickers while investigating a major drug cartel in Mexico. In 1988, Camarena’s family and friends began wearing red satin ribbons in his memory. Now the red ribbon is a symbol of a drug-free community.
The last week of October has been designated as Red Ribbon Week. Tornado Alley BMX supporter Adonna Ballard affirms, “Our local Community Coalition for Prevention, Intervention and Treatment sponsors community Red Ribbon Week activities each year. Tornado Alley BMX is proud to be part of our community activities for the last two years and we hope to make it bigger and better each year with the Red Ribbon Races and Health Fair. Free BMX racing and fun, interactive activities for the kids and parents to participate in while learning about of the dangers of drugs and other substance abuse.”
Texas Bicycle Coalition Local Outreach Coordinators Fernando Martinez and Joyce Cunningham staged bicycle part identification relays and a demostration to enforce the importance of bicycle helmet use to more than 100 spectators and 58 riders. Activity booths were sponsored by Texas Bicycle Coalition with their program Bike Texas Safe Routes to School, Tobacco Free Amarillo, Amarillo Independent School District Child Nutrition Program, Potter Randall Intensive Drug Education Program, Faith City Mission, Managed Care and Community Coalition for Prevention Intervention and Treatment.
Competitors from age 3 to 24 vied for certificate awards in their age groups to celebrate the importance of a drug-free Amarillo. Ballard added, “It was truly a day of learning, family togetherness and support for our kids and community!”
