Red Ribbon Week Activities

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“Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free” is this year’s theme for Red Ribbon Week. This national drug prevention campaign invites members of every community to take a stand against drugs. This year, the time to celebrate is October 23-31. As parents, educators, and members of society, we have the chance to help create drug free communities for our children.

Red Ribbon Week began in 1985, after a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent lost his life in the stand against drugs. The National Family Partnership started sponsoring the cause in 1988. Their goal was to use Red Ribbons as a symbol to educate youth in communities, and to encourage them to join drug prevention activities. With the help of neighbors and schools, we can work together to bring awareness and advocate for drug free youth. 

Parents can help their children celebrate Red Ribbon Week this year by organizing activities within their home and community. Here are some ideas to make this year's celebration unforgettable. 

Home Activities:

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• Use this week as an opportunity to talk to your children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol 
• Prevent prescription drug abuse by securing and monitoring your medicine cabinets 
• Come up with a theme for next year's 2016 Red Ribbon Week, and enter the contest
• Wear Red! Whether it's a ribbon or a shirt, wear red throughout the week to show your support
• Sign the Red Ribbon Pledge!

Community Activities:

• Get to know the parents of your children's friends. Establishing a relationship can give you an opportunity to work together to monitor your child's behavior and set limits 
• Get the neighbors together to discuss what to do when any suspicious activity is observed in neighborhood 
• Talk to your child's teacher about fun Red Ribbon Week celebration ideas
• Examples: Wear Red Day, Put A Cap On Drugs (Hat Day), Put A Sock On Drugs Day, Be On A Drug Free Team Day (Favorite Team Gear), Shade Out Drugs Day (Sunglasses)

Tell us how your family celebrates Red Ribbon Week in a comment below! 

For more information about Red Ribbon Week, click here

-Hannah