Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was born on July 26, 1947 in Mexicali, Mexico. He graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, Calif., in 1966.

After graduation he joined the U.S. Marines where he served for two years. After his military service, Kiki joined the Calexico Police Department and later moved to the El Centro Police Department. In 1974, he became part of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Seven years later he was assigned to the resident office in Guadalajara.

He worked out of this office for four and a half years and was close to exposing a major drug trafficking operation. On February 7, 1985, Kiki was kidnapped. That was the last time he was seen alive. He was 37 years of age.

In 1988, the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth championed the first National Red Ribbon Week campaign with Honorary Chairman President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. That same year, congress officially established Red Ribbon Week.

Now, at the end of every October, millions of Americans dawn red ribbons in memory of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

The Elks are proud to be a part of such an important tradition, each year taking the message to combat drug use to schools across the nation.