CHICAGO, IL — If you’ve been wondering why Willis Tower is bathed in red this week, it’s not for Halloween festivities. Instead, it joins an array of iconic landmarks like the Star on the Mountain in El Paso, Texas, and the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, to mark Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating substance abuse.
From October 23-31, communities from Mitchell, South Dakota’s Corn Palace to Rhode Island’s State Capitol are lighting up in crimson to advocate for a drug-free society. The tradition pays homage to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who tragically lost his life to drug traffickers in 1985. His sacrifice inspired millions to don red ribbons, pledge to lead drug-free lives, and engage in local anti-drug events.
This week, the DEA encourages everyone to get involved by leveraging their online toolkit available at www.dea.gov/redribbon. It features social media graphics to share, pledges for students and parents, and countless other resources to amplify the message. Join the movement by tagging your photos with #DEARedRibbon and #GoRed4RedRibbon, and let’s make a unified stand against drug use.
