Enrique &uot;Kiki&uot; Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference.

Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it. &uot;I can’t not do this,&uot; he told her. &uot;I’m only one person, but I want to make a difference.&uot;

Camarena died while doing undercover work. In honor of Camarena’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin

The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children.

In 1997, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse began committing resources to continue the Red Ribbon Campaign in Texas, and the idea caught on nationwide.

This week, area schools will mark Red Ribbon Week with a number of activities. We encourage parents to talk to their kids about those activities and start a dialogue about the dangers of drug and alcohol.

It could be the most important chat you ever have with your children.