News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2004

2004 Red Ribbon Campaign Announced
“Rap Reunion in Red”

Dallas Police Department Assistant Chief, Dora Saucedo-Falls; Dallas FBI SAC Guadulupe Gonzales;DEA SAC Gary G. Olenkiewicz; DPD Assistant Chief Randy Hampton; DPD Det. Monty Moncibias;DPD Deputy Chief Julian Bernal; DEA DRC Michelle Deaver; Phoenix House Exec Dir Mike Hathcoat.

Today, Special Agent in Charge Gary G. Olenkiewicz, head of the Dallas Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, announced that the City of Dallas, the Dallas Police Department and the DEA will bring the greater Dallas community together to honor the memory of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. National Red Ribbon Week serves as a tribute to Special Agent Camarena, who in 1985 was kidnapped and brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico. This tragic event produced an immediate outpouring of grief, but over time has generated a sense of hope across America. That hope is being kept alive through the hard work of thousands of Americans --- particularly our young people --- who participate in Red Ribbon events during October. This tradition is stronger than ever today, as an increasing number of Americans are saying “yes” to a drug-free life.

Mr. Olenkiewicz said, “many organizations in the Dallas metroplex interested in the safety and well being of their children, families and the community at large, have expended numerous hours planning this Red Ribbon rally. As many as 9,000 students, parents, teachers and community leaders are expected to attend, ‘Rap Reunion in Red’ on October 28, 2004 at Reunion Arena. This rally stands to be the largest such rally ever held in Dallas, Texas. Through the efforts of the Red Ribbon Week executive committee and several sponsors, Reunion Arena will be wrapped in a large Red Ribbon to signify the beginning of Red Ribbon Week.”

Law enforcement groups such as the Dallas Police Department and the DEA have worked tirelessly to reduce the supply of drugs available to our residents. At the same time, area schools and community-based agencies continuously work to reduce the demand for drugs by educating youth and families about the dangers of drugs and how to resist their use. But law enforcement, schools and community organizations can’t do it all. Youth looks to leaders of all ages and backgrounds to set the standard for behavior. When leaders in the business community stand side-by-side with law enforcement and education professionals to say “We honor ourselves, our youth, and law enforcement, by choosing, now and always to be drug-free,” everybody wins.

DEA encourages all members of the community to send a clear and unequivocal message to our youth that drugs damage lives --- whether it is through lost productivity, unfulfilled dreams, drugged driving incidents, or addiction. National Red Ribbon Week is a chance for the community to show that Kiki Camarena’s spirit --- and hope for a drug-free America---can never be extinguished.