The holiday period from Thanksgiving through Hanukkah and Christmas signifies a time of reflection and gratitude for all things. As we gather with our families for delicious dinners prepared with the best trimmings, we reflect deeply on what truly means the most to us and express gratitude for those things.

See the red ribbon in our logo? That represents the foundation of our organization and our dedication to the principles it represents.

Have you ever noticed we keep asking you “What are you doing for Red Ribbon Week”?

It’s because we are equipping you to live a healthy drug free life and to pass it on to those around you; especially your children.

Over the years it has been interesting to watch people act like, “You’re not talking to me are you?”

Yes YOU! We are talking to YOU. Prevention talks directly to everyone…no exceptions.

The coronavirus pandemic can’t stop something as important as Red Ribbon Week. This is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during the nine-day celebration, held from October 23-31 each year.

The coronavirus pandemic has curtailed many activities, but Red Ribbon Week is taking place regardless. The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council will be hosting virtual Red Ribbon rallies on YouTube and Facebook, and this month Informed Families announced its Red Ribbon Mask Challenge to encourage everyone to wear a Red Ribbon-Themed face mask this week.

Students, families and schools across America are invited to participate in the 10th Annual National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest aimed at calling attention to the benefits of staying drug free with photography. The contest, co-sponsored by the National Family Partnership (NFP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be held in conjunction with National Red Ribbon Week, which takes place each year from October 23 through 31. The contest will award more than $20,000 to K-12 schools in cities across America.

The photo contest involves participants decorating the fronts of their homes (front door, mailbox or fence), or virtual school/school campuses with double-looped red ribbons while incorporating this year's Red Ribbon theme, Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.™ Participants enter the contest by taking a photo of their decorations and by uploading the image to the RedRibbon.org website.

Help Us Lead the Red Ribbon Week Herd   

Red Ribbon Week helps to create Herd Immunity. Red Ribbon is about creating herd or community immunity to the alcohol and drug problems America is facing.

Herd or Community Immunity is where a large part of the population are immune to a specific disease.

While currently the public is hearing about and focusing on Covid-19, Herd immunity applies equally to alcohol and drug use.

In all populations across the world about 10 % of people have a predisposition to alcohol and drug addiction. PREDISPOSITION DOES NOT MEAN PREDETERMINED!!! There are PROTECTIVE FACTORS that mediate the disease - the biggest are the communities’ beliefs, their messaging and role modeling about alcohol and drugs use and misuse.

“I really would like the theme to inspire others for use as their mantra. Bravery is not just for superheroes."

Meet Tricia Nelson, the everyday hero behind the 2020 Red Ribbon theme: “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.”

The Red Ribbon Campaign unveiled its new 2020 Red Ribbon Theme, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free. ™” today. The theme will be highlighted during Red Ribbon Week®, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, taking place each year from October 23 through 31st.

Submitted by Tricia Nelson, a first year Physical Education Teacher at Locust Corner Elementary School in Cincinnati, the theme will help amplify the campaign’s mission to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, safe and drug-free lives.

People Participate in What They Help to Plan  

The 2020 Red Ribbon theme is “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.” So many of our youth are fascinated by superhero culture from Superman and Wonder Woman to Captain Marvel and Spiderman. It’s only fitting that this year we encourage them to be “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.” To be an everyday hero.

People sometimes ask why the Red Ribbon theme changes each year.  Understanding the history of Red Ribbon is key to understanding this important feature of the campaign. Red Ribbon has always been a grassroots movement.  After DEA agent Kiki Camarena was murdered in 1985, communities across America began displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. People united and took a visible stand against drugs.

We change the theme each year to give the individuals that help spread the Red Ribbon message an opportunity to shape the campaign in a way that is relevant to our communities. Our mission to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug free America remains the same, but we must deliver it in a way that resonates with the youth and culture of 2020 if we want to be heard.

I love to see students “Sock it to Drugs” in wacky socks or wear sunglasses because their future is too bright for drugs during Red Ribbon Week. I encourage you to incorporate the official 2020 Red Ribbon theme “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.” into your spirit week activities as well. Together we can honor the history of Red Ribbon and present a unified message in support of keeping kids safe, healthy and drug free.  

Peggy