Wahpeton, N.D. – On Tuesday, a DEA helicopter touched down on the grounds of Wahpeton High School as part of the agency’s annual Red Ribbon Week campaign. Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei, who leads the DEA Omaha Division, addressed students about the reality that drug threats are not limited to large cities.
Message of vigilance for all communities
“Our biggest message today to these kids is to be aware of these dangers. Just because you’re not in a large city environment where the drug world is more prevalent, it doesn’t mean that it’s not here,” Mattei told the assembled students. He emphasized that drug‑related dangers can appear in any town, no matter how small.
Honoring a fallen agent
Red Ribbon Week marks its 41st year and honors DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered while investigating a Mexican drug cartel. Mattei said Camarena’s sacrifice serves as a reminder of the risks faced by law‑enforcement officers and as a source of hope for young people making drug‑free choices.
“We use that tragedy as a message of hope because we’re still here, we’re still fighting this fight, and we want kids to understand the dangers drug trafficking and drug use can cause for them now and in their future,” Mattei explained.
DEA’s focus on small towns
The visit underscored the agency’s commitment to addressing drug threats in smaller communities across the region. “Small schools, small towns in the middle of North Dakota – that tells you the DEA is not just focused on the Twin Cities, on Fargo, on the big cities; if there’s a problem here, we’re going to look at it, address it, and we’re going to come and support,” Mattei said.
Fentanyl Free America initiative
This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme, “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” aligns with the DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative, which seeks to raise public awareness about fentanyl and other dangerous substances. The DEA Omaha Division reported that investigators removed more than five million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl from communities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota during the first nine months of 2026.
Inspiring future law‑enforcement careers
Students also learned about the people behind the agency’s work. “It shows them that there are men and women out there who are serious about fighting drugs, that we put our lives on the line every day,” Mattei said. He noted that while the job carries risks, it is also an “extremely rewarding career.”
The DEA’s presence in Wahpeton highlights the importance of community‑based drug education and reinforces the message that every citizen, regardless of location, can play a role in keeping our neighborhoods safe.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
