Not only is the week of October 27th-31st extremely special because of Halloween, there is also another significant event planned: Red Ribbon Week. Dating back to 1985, the idea of Red Ribbon Week was sparked when DEA agent, Enrique Camarena, was killed by a drug cartel. When he was killed, people in his hometown of Calexico, California decided to put red ribbons around the town. Since then, the red ribbon has been the universal symbol for the prevention of illegal drugs. It wasn’t until 1988, that Red Ribbon Week was officiated by the U.S. Congress.

Nationally, Red Ribbon Week always occurs in mid-October, however because of College Week, PVHS leadership class, Be The Change, has decided to switch it up a bit. Because Red Ribbon Week brings awareness to substance abuse and violence, Be The Change plans on having fun, Halloween-themed events and posters to correlate the two occasions. “We decided it would be a good message right before Halloween when everyone is going out, to remind them to be safe.” Be The Change advisor, Mrs. Kostrencich, says. Halloween is typically known for the fun parties and ridiculous costumes, so it may be a good idea to remind students just how dangerous alcohol, drugs, and tobacco can be.

Red Ribbon Week coordinator, Leena Khan, has everything planned out. “We thought of some poster ideas such as, ‘Drugs Aren’t Ghoul’ and ‘Stay Spooky, Not Kooky,” to integrate the message of this week into the Halloween festivities. Due to the fact that 4,000 teens die every year in the U.S. because of distracted driving, Khan wants to incorporate “Spooky Facts,” as well. Khan adds, “To make texting and driving more relevant to this year’s Red Ribbon Week, our biggest project will be setting out ninety backpacks all around the freshmen pod to represent the approximate number of teens who die every day in the U.S. due to texting while driving”

From the small town of Calexico, California, Red Ribbon Week expanded to the approximately eighty million people who celebrate it every year, including Palos Verdes High School. Be The Change intends on having a successful Red Ribbon Week before Halloween and hopes to bring awareness to this remarkable campaign.