Two hundred 4th and 5th Graders traveled to the State Capital to join more than 1000 students to celebrate the State's Red Ribbon kick- off week.

 THE FIGHT IS ON!  

SAFB KICKS OFF
RED RIBBON RALLY
This year San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. takes the fight against drugs to the City Hall Steps.

Thursday February 7, 1985, at approximately 2 p.m. Enrique (Kiki) Camarena (37), a DEA agent headed for a luncheon date with his wife, Mika (34).  Kiki had been on the trail of Mexico’s marijuana and cocaine barons.  He was due to be reassigned in three (3) weeks.  He was kidnapped on his way to the luncheon.  His body was found one month later in a shallow grave.  He had been tortured, beaten, and brutally murdered.

As a result in 1988, with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons, the first red ribbon campaign was celebrated.  The red ribbon became a symbol to eliminate the demand for drugs.  This 8-day celebration became the annual catalyst to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, work places, and communities.  This Rally is now the oldest and largest drug prevention campaigns in the nation.

“Since 1992, Fighting Back and its partners have been working to educate kids and teens about the consequences of drug use,” said Linda Tippins, Executive Vice President, SAFB.

For this reason San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. (SAFB) sponsored the 2006 Red Ribbon Rally at the City Hall Steps on Thursday, October 19th.   San Antonio Police Chief William McManus was the Keynote Speaker.  FBI agent, Sandy Garcia presented the history of the Red Ribbon Rally and retired detective from the Austin Police Department Mark Anthony Gill, A.K.A. Police Ice rapped the anti-drug message to more than 200 4th and 5th graders in attendance.  This year students and chaperons from Kate Schenck, Henry B. Gonzalez, Bowden, Wright Elementary and the Carver Academy participated in the Rally.  After the rally the students were transported by SAFB staff to Austin , TX to participate in mock hearings in the State Capitol.  The students wrote drug prevention bills and presented them before a mock legislature. This year we are proud to announce that Bowden’s Elementary anti-drug bill was approved and passed.

To view images from the event, please click here.

  
     
   

<-- BACK