On Monday, October 24, 2016, Poplarville Upper Elementary kicked off its annual celebration of Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is dedicated to federal drug enforcement agent Enrique Camerena, who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. In response to his death, angered parents across the country began wearing red ribbons to symbolize their commitment toward a drug free America. In 1988, congress officially proclaimed the first Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31. Over 100,000 schools and organizations nationwide celebrate this week.