El Paso, Oct 7, 2011 - Today, Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) will kick-off the 2011 Red Ribbon Week Poster Challenge at Hillcrest Middle School at 3:00 p.m. to encourage all El Paso students to participate in this contest. From October 23– 31, Americans will celebrate Red Ribbon Week, a nine-day commemoration of the life of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Agent Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by drug dealers 26 years ago in Mexico. The El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), located on Fort Bliss and operated by DEA, was dedicated to the memory of Agent Camarena.

Red Ribbon Week is dedicated to help preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life: the fight against drug violence and drug addiction. By gathering together in special events and wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October, Americans from all walks of life demonstrate their opposition to drugs. Approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year.

In an effort to engage El Paso area students in this nationwide initiative, Congressman Reyes would like to invite every elementary, middle, and high school student to participate in the 2011 El Paso Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest. To participate in this contest students are asked to create and submit a poster incorporating “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” theme. The submission deadline is October 14, 2011. All students who participate will receive a congressional certificate of participation and winning posters will be made available for public display.

Throughout the month of October, Congressman Silvestre Reyes will visit various schools in the El Paso area to encourage all El Paso students to participate in this contest.

 “Educating our students and children about the physical and social dangers of drug use is critical, and the entire community plays an important role in this effort,” said Congressman Reyes. “This year, observe Red Ribbon Week by taking time to talk to a friend, neighbor, or child, about the devastating effects of drug use and encourage any student you know to participate in the Red Ribbon Week Poster Challenge and to ‘say no to drugs, say yes to life'.”

For more information about the 2011 Red Ribbon Week Poster Challenge please contact the office of Congressman Reyes at 202-225-4831.