The 2011 Red Ribbon drug abuse awareness Campaign kicks off on Oct. 24 in Warwick

Warwick — The Warwick Valley School District, Warwick Valley Coalition, the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County along with Orange County Executive Edward Diana will host the 26th annual Red Ribbon kick-off ceremony on Monday, Oct. 24, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Community members are invited to attend the Red Ribbon pep rally that will be held at the Warwick Valley Middle School, located at 89 Sanfordville Road in Warwick. Preliminary kick-off events will begin on Saturday, Oct. 22, with a float in the Warwick Valley High School Homecoming Parade, recognition of Red Ribbon Week during the football game half-time and with a community dinner at the Warwick Valley Community Center. Red Ribbon Week is a national drug abuse awareness campaign that was created to memorialize the life of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In 1985, Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and killed by drug traffickers. For the past 26 years, communities across America have celebrated his life with special events and by wearing red ribbons from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.