Red Ribbon Week Celebrated in Downtown Atlanta Promoting Drug Awareness

On October 28th, downtown Atlanta was treated to a live band as Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia celebrated Red Ribbon Week.

The local band set up in Woodruff Park, on the corner of Auburn Ave and Peachtree Street downtown, and played songs written by Michael Jackson, Louis Armstrong, as well as original compositions.

“We wanted everyone to have a good time, as well as realize you don’t need to do drugs to be happy,” commented Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. “This has been a tradition of ours for years: having a live band play music in downtown Atlanta, entertaining and educating on the dangers of drug abuse.”

“We are very pleased with the turnout,” comments Gordy Weinand, Public Relations for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. This Red Ribbon Week event has been a Narconon Drug Rehab tradition for many years. Thousands of drug information literature was passed out, and thousands of people showed up to dance and have a good time.”

Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping, torture and brutal murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985. Agent Camarena had been working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico for over four years. His efforts led to a tip that resulted in the discovery of a multimillion dollar narcotics manufacturing operation in Chihuahua, Mexico. The successful eradication of this and other drug production operations angered leaders of several drug cartels who sought revenge. As a result, they murdered key informants and then, on February 7, 1985, they kidnapped Agent Camarena and his pilot Captain Alfredo Zavala-Avelar (taken separately on the same day).

The DEA's investigation revealed that Agent Camarena had been tortured extensively before he was murdered. Audiotapes of the torture showed that medical doctors actually kept Agent Camarena alive in order to continue the interrogation. Evidence collected revealed that both Agent Camarena and Captain Zavala-Avelar were initially buried in one location and then moved to the ranch where they were found.

The dramatic events that followed Agent Camarena's disappearance were chronicled in national media here at home. They exposed the dark world of drug trafficking including how far drug traffickers would go to maintain power and control.

In 1988, Red Ribbon Week was recognized nationally with President Ronald and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as the Honorary Chairs.

Today, the Red Ribbon Celebration brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.

*Source: redribboncoalition.com.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug addiction treatment or drug education.

We are Narconon – The New Life Program.
 
Copyright © 2008 Narconon of Georgia Inc. All rights reserved. Narconon and the Narconon Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission. Narconon of Georgia is a non-profit 501© public benefit corporation.