Join The Red Ribbon Campaign 2010
Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children. Although the start and end dates can vary slightly depending on the organization and source, Red Ribbon Week generally takes place the last full week in October, with the weekends before and following the last full week included as appropriate celebration dates. This year Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated October 23-31, 2010.
In 1997, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (now the Dept. of State Health Services) began committing resources to ensure the continuation of the Red Ribbon Campaign in Texas, as well as the hopes and beliefs behind this grassroots effort to protect children from the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. Texas Red Ribbon Week 2009 will begin with an opening rally at the Texas State Capitol on October 14, 2010.
The Story Of Red Ribbon
Red Ribbon is a national event honoring Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent who was killed in 1985 by drug traffickers. Soon after, “Camarena Clubs” were launched in high schools in California, and hundreds of students pledged to lead drug-free lives. Two club members presented the “Camarena Club Proclamation” to then first lady Nancy Reagan, bringing it national attention. Parent groups embraced the campaign, and in 1988, Congress proclaimed the first U.S. Red Ribbon Campaign. The Texas Department of State Health Services, along with others, provides resources to ensure the continuation of the Red Ribbon Campaign in Texas and to support the hopes and beliefs that fuel the grassroots effort to keep children drug-free.
How Can You Get Involved
- Designate a Red Ribbon coordinator and form a committee of adults and youth to organize a Red Ribbon Week and other local events.
- Include alcohol, tobacco, inhalant and other drug information in school curricula during Red Ribbon Week.
- Incorporate a drug education component in school orientation sessions for new students.
- Plan essay, poster or other competitions.
- Distribute red ribbons to students and staff. Order red ribbons from your local PRC by calling (888) PRC-TEXX.
- Sponsor a “Wear Red Day.”
- Sponsor a Red Ribbon Day rally or assembly with speakers and other festivities.
- Invite parents to a drug education program or send information home to parents about how to talk to their children about drugs and how to identify drug use.
- Feature drug information in publications and on your organization/school website.
- Contact your local Prevention Resource Center for more ideas, free brochures and posters. Call (888) PRC-TEXX.