In response to the requests from many schools for red ribbons the S.C. Elks, comprised of approximately 8,000 members, provided 65,000 satin red ribbons free of charge to be distributed to each 5th grade student in the South Carolina public school system during Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31, 2016). The distribution of the red ribbons was coordinated through the 86 school districts in SC as provided by the SC Association of Superintendents.
Hurricane Matthew may have impacted the distribution of some of the ribbons, but we want to thank all the school districts for their cooperation in making the initiative a reality for the 5th grade students in SC public schools.
Red Ribbon week, which teaches school children and youth to avoid alcohol, tobacco and drug use, was established in 1985 in remembrance of Special Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena who was tortured and murdered while working undercover in Mexico. He was 38 at the time.
