Lincoln – October 23 – 31 is Red Ribbon Week, an observance to raise awareness of substance use and the challenges in the community.
The annual national Red Ribbon Week theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.” This theme serves as a reminder that all individuals play a role in fostering safe, healthy, and substance free communities. Parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and all citizens of Nebraska have the ability to make a difference by raising awareness, helping others prevent substance use, and encouraging those who need help to seek assistance.
The first official Red Ribbon Week celebration was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988. The red ribbon symbolizes a continued commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities and to honor the those who have given their lives fighting to keep communities safe. It was first worn in 1985 after Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. “Kiki” Camarena was killed by drug traffickers. Shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice.
“Red Ribbon Week is a time to pause, reflect, and address substance use challenges in our communities,” said Dr. Thomas Janousek, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “I encourage parents, schools, and all Nebraskans to take part in this national observance and consider ways we can take proactive steps to keeping our communities safe. Children are less likely to misuse substances when parents and other role models are involved in setting examples of healthy behaviors.”
There are several ways you can participate in Red Ribbon Week:
- Wear red ribbons and distribute them to your friends, family, volunteers, staff, and employees.
- Incorporate drug prevention facts and tips in school-wide announcements and websites throughout Red Ribbon Week. Create a bulletin board display about Red Ribbon Week and post it in a high traffic area of your school.
- Post fact sheets and Red Ribbon Week materials on community webpages, bulletin boards in libraries, hospitals, local churches, synagogues, gymnasiums, grocery stores, parks and recreation departments, health clinics, universities, and other public places.
- Get to know the parents of your children’s friends. Work together to set boundaries and monitor behavior for your kids.
- Gather neighbors to discuss neighborhood watch concerning drug use among children in the neighborhood. Develop a plan to alert each other if any suspicious activity is observed.
- Check out more Red Ribbon Week resources from the National Family Partnership: www.redribbon.org/resources
If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; call, text, or chat 988.
- Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660.
- Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258.
- Access Naloxone in the case of an opioid overdose: stopodne.com
- Your faith-based leader, healthcare professional, or student health center on campus.
