Red Ribbon Week is a way to bring awareness of the negative impacts of illegal drug usage worldwide. During the last week of October, Individuals worldwide celebrate those who have left drugs behind and are now living a drug-free lifestyle. During Red Ribbon Week many individuals pledge to be drug-free.

Red Ribbon Week has helped encourage people to communicate about this issue and over millions of people have participated but only a few understand why Red Ribbon Week is something we talk about with our mentors. Red Ribbon Campaign

Even though there are still individuals who continue to consume substances every day, marijuana overdoses have been decreasing. Now there’s a new fentanyl crisis that spiked the overdose deaths.

Red Ribbon Week is supposed to talk about the dangers of every drug whether it’s illegal or legal.

Fentanyl and its dangers is among the drugs Red Ribbon Week doesn’t talk about. The fentanyl crisis isn’t something everyone wants to talk about, considering that there’s many people that don’t know anything about the fentanyl crisis.

Drug abuse is something parents avoid talking to their children about the dangers of drugs or fail to acknowledge them.

The Red Ribbon Week Campaign has continued to save many lives throughout the years in ways that other campaigns haven’t. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign.

There are many drug prevention centers that focus on those who have taken possession of drug abuse. These programs focus on improving their health and demonstrating that it is okay to say “no” to drugs and why it’s better to choose a drug-free lifestyle. In today’s society, many youths attend prevention programs to have a better understanding of this issue.

Red Ribbon Week is to recognize the sacrifice of Drug Enforcement Administrator (DEA) Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Salazar death to save lives of many more that had been influenced by drug abuse in the 20th century.

Camarena was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. He was investigating ongoing drug trafficking taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico. After his death, people wanted to honor his sacrifice.

Since Camarena’s death, Red Ribbon Week eventually gained momentum worldwide. Red Ribbon Week is used to teach adolescents about the dangers of drug abuse and alcohol that can be brought into their lives.

According to Get Smart About Drugs, “youths and adults around the nation pledge to increase their knowledge by learning more about the destructive effects of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and renew their commitment to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.”
Some prevention programs teach youths and adults the most common reasons individuals abuse drugs daily. Other prevention centers go more into depth about the most used drugs worldwide. They also talk about the effects they have on humans’ mind-body connection and health.

Program Coordinator of The Cambodian Family Ravi Seng said, “our programs destigmatized substance usages even though it’s a problem in the community there are many more in-depth reasons why individuals consume substances instead of pointing fingers and judging them.”

Many parents understand that drug abuse is an immense crisis within the population. They understood that students must talk about this problem to decrease the amount of drug abuse. As a result, parents have funded Red Ribbon Week in the past years for students to learn more about Red Ribbon Week.

Schools also participate in this campaign; Red Ribbon Week is often used to target adolescents. Usually, it persuades students to make better decisions for their futures. They also sponsor Red Ribbon Week activities. Schools referred to it as Spirit Week. The activities aren’t related to raising awareness toward Red Ribbon Week.

K-12 Science Curriculum Specialist Lindsey Bogris said, “sometimes people try to make the topic more palatable by having ‘wacky spirit wear days’ but it is my worry that by doing that, especially in middle school and high school, that students see this time as silly instead of leaning into the serious nature and real learning that can take place with such a difficult topic.”

Although not all activities are related to raising awareness of the crisis of drug usage, some schools participate in door decorating competitions. Which usually helps send out pensive messages about drug prevention usage.

Red Ribbon Week isn’t something that schools necessarily teach in their classrooms. It is a week to remember the values of a drug-free life and know the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Every caregiver should consider this issue and take the opportunity to talk to children about the dangers of drug usages.

Red Ribbon Week teaches the understanding that it is always okay for individuals to say no and value a good lifestyle. Many students fall into a category where they find it difficult to say no.
Individuals learn that saying no can lead to life-changing futures.

Having more people talk about this issue has raised more awareness throughout the nation.
They necessarily talk about drugs and alcohol during this week for students to understand the dangers it can bring towards students’ academic and personal life.

Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) supports services resources for students, families, and the community.

Orange County – Teen Challenge of Southern California

Phoenix House Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Center | Southern California

Addiction Treatment Programs
SAMHSA National Helpline Confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)