Haley declares Red Ribbon Week in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley has declared the week before Halloween as Red Ribbon Week in South Carolina. Her statewide proclamation coincides with the national campaign designed to raise awareness to the dangers of illegal drug use. Red Ribbon Week dates to 1985, when people began wearing red ribbons to honor an undercover agent in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped and tortured to death by drug traffickers in Mexico. His body was found in March 1985, a month after he was forced into a car while on his way to lunch. The week of awareness officially runs from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. Haley’s proclamation encourages residents to teach children that drug and alcohol abuse is dangerous and harmful to both their health and future.