The Postal Service will help mark Red Ribbon Week by releasing the Drug Free USA stamp on Oct. 27.
Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug abuse prevention awareness program, runs Oct. 23-31 and coincides with National Substance Abuse Prevention Month every October.
The annual commemoration began in 1988 to honor Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent who was tortured and murdered three years earlier by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. After Camarena’s death, many people started wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice.
The Drug Free USA stamp, which was announced last year, features a white star with lines of red, light blue and blue radiating from one side of each of the star’s five points, suggesting the unity necessary at all levels to effectively address drug abuse.
Greg Breeding designed the Forever stamp with original artwork by Aaron Draplin, a graphic designer. William J. Gicker, the Postal Service’s stamp services director, served as art director.
The stamp will be available at Post Offices and usps.com.
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