October 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Did you know children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations?
RED RIBBON WEEK, which is celebrated annually October 23-31, is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program.
“During RED RIBBON WEEK, we invite our community to take a VISIBLE stand against drugs. We normally do this within our schools, but this year we are encouraging our community to get involved. Nationwide individuals, families, and communities are asked to support this event by the following: if you have signage please use it to promote Red Ribbon Week with an anti drug statement, turn the building red if you have a display window, and by wearing red that week (or just pick one day) and post a picture on your website or facebook page with #redribbonweek, etc. Please send me the picture, so I can post it to our DeKalb Prevention Facebook page at 615-580-9290. There are tons of neat ideas online if you google 2019 Red Ribbon Week. Thank you for your involvement in becoming part of our community drug fight,” said Lisa Cripps, DeKalb Prevention Coalition Coordinator.
This project is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Red Ribbon Week was started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. As a tribute to SA Camarena, high school friend, Henry Lozano and Congressman Duncan Hunter, created “Camarena Clubs” and the wearing of a red ribbon to show their oppositions to drugs.
In 1988, the National Family Partnership coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary Chairpersons. Since then, the Red Ribbon campaign has taken on national significance, and NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year. Wearing red ribbons during the month of October continues to represent our pledge to live drug free and honors the sacrifice of all who have lost their lives in the fight against drugs.
Celebrate Red Ribbon Week in your community or your child’s school, and raise awareness of living a drug free life. Take the opportunity to talk to your kids about drugs.