PINEVILLE - Show your personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon, now through October 31. This is a simple way for people as well as communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs, say Bell County Health Department workers, when they talked to students about drug prevention.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program, in the nation, reaching millions of young people during this particular week.

The story of the Red Ribbon goes back to a boy, who grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference. Enrique “Kiki” Camarena; worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. He later joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

On assignment, undercover, in Mexico, investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government Camarena left his office February 7, 1985 to have lunch with is wife. Five men appeared at the 37-year-old agents side and shoved him into a car. One month later his body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death.

To honor Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Coalitions against alcohol and other drugs began for form and they adopted the red ribbon as their symbol. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a Drug Free America.

The National Family Partnership was created in 1980 and the mission is to lead and support the nation's families and communities to nurture the full potential of a healthy, drug-free youth. They now have a Red Ribbon Campaign Week, each year, to help accomplish its mission through parent training, networking and sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Campaign.

Locally, Red Ribbon Campaign Week is sponsored by the Bell County Health Department. Each year they send workers into area schools to teach students about drug prevention. As part of bringing home the drug-free message, the Bell County Health Department also handed out a package containing two pieces of candy and a card urging students to: “Be a role model. Stay drug free. You can make a difference, To others each day, With the things you do, And the words you say. So get your goals high, Be the best you can be, And show good character, By staying DRUG FREE!”

The Bell County Health Department, Kiwanis Club and Pineville City Schools gave bags of candy with anti-drug messages to the students.

C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.