The last week of October is reserved each year for Red Ribbon Week. Many people might remember Red Ribbon Week as a spirit week during elementary school and while that is a fun part of it, there is so much more to it. The history of the country’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign is actually rooted in adversity.
In 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena was killed by drug traffickers, and shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember and commemorate his life. The first official Red Ribbon Week observation was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988, and NFP continues to annually coordinate the campaign for families, schools, and communities across the nation. The red ribbon has grown to symbolize a commitment to reduce the effects of harmful substances in our communities.
Pottawatomie Alliance Toward Community Health (PATCH) invites the community to raise awareness about substance use and encourages parents, students, educators, and community members to advocate for substance free lifestyles. Red Ribbon Week runs during the last week of October each year, kicking off on Monday, October 28 this year, and the theme for 2024 is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.”
For the past few years, the PATCH coalition has encouraged not only schools but organizations and individuals to participate in Red Ribbon Week. Those interested can wear a red ribbon during the week or place a sign in their yard. Other activities for the week include a spirit week for individuals and organizations to participate in.
The schedule for this year’s spirit week is as follows:
Monday, October 28 - Crazy Socks Day
Tuesday, October 29 - Peace Out to Drugs Day/Tie-Dye
Wednesday, October 30 - Wear Red Day
Thursday, October 31 - Superhero/Dress as your hero day/Halloween
Friday, November 1 - Team Spirit Day
At Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, we recognize that individuals suffering from substance use disorders (SUD) deserve compassion and support on their journey to healing. During Red Ribbon Week, as we raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse, we also emphasize that recovery is possible and attainable. We believe in reducing stigma by treating everyone with dignity and care, providing a safe space where hope and recovery are always within reach.
If you or someone you know would like support on their recovery journey, do not hesitate to reach out to Gateway at 273-1170 x0 or send us a message through our facebook page: Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, Inc. Our team is committed to helping individuals and families find the path to hope, healing, and greater health.
Danielle Mason-Rains is the program director for the Drug Free Communities grant at Gateway to Prevention & Recovery. She has her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys reading, running, spending time with her family, and teaching group fitness classes.
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