Governor's Red Ribbon Campaign History
In response to the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. In 1988, The National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
The Red Ribbon Campaign is a media and activity-driven strategy aimed at building general population (universal) awareness of the importance of a drug-free lifestyle. Each year, schools and communities are encouraged to develop messages and activities to demonstrate their commitment to living drug-free lifestyles.
Please click the button below to be directed to the 2024 Red Ribbon Week Campaign Materials and Website.
GOVERNOR'S RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN 2024 KICK-OFF
WEDNESDAY - OCTOBER 23, 2024 MABLE HOUSE BARNES AMPHITHEATER 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This event marks the official start of the Governor’s Red Ribbon Campaign across Georgia. This Event supports community awareness by promoting safe and fun activities that are positive alternatives to substance use and abuse.
To participate or for more information, please visit:
https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/red-ribbon-campaign-2 or facebook.com/georgiadbhdd or email barbara.dorman@dbhdd.ga.gov
RED RIBBON WEEK
October 23rd-31st
the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation.
Red Ribbon Week is the largest drug prevention campaign that brings people and communities together to take a stand against drugs. Originally launched in 1988 with President and Mrs. Regan, with the official red ribbon week being October 23rd-31st. Individuals take this time to show their personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon. “The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign® is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America”.
The brutal torture and murder of Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena by Mexican drug traffickers opened Americans eyes, in February 7, 1985, to the dangers of drugs and the scope of the international drug trade. Thus, Red Ribbon serves as a reminder for the dangers involving drugs. Through the campaign, the memory of Kiki Camarena stays alive. He truly was a hero in the war against drugs. “An estimated 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week each year.” This campaign gives people and communities a platform to take a visible stand against drugs.
All citizens across the country can participate in Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is helping citizens across the country come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free, through networking and sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Campaign®. It takes a community to teach prevention. Everyone in schools, business, government, law enforcement, medical facilities, media, and faith-based practices. Truly everyone of all ages can decide to take the pledge to be drug-free and remember, “drug-free looks like me”.
Plan a Red Ribbon celebration using materials from Nimco, Inc. Order Red Ribbon themed items for your classroom, office or home and show your support for living drug-free! Proceeds from the sale of Red Ribbon themed merchandise helps us to continue to promote drug prevention education. Visit Nimcoinc.com.
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Behavioral Health Prevention and Federal Grants invites Georgia students to participate in their category of choice, of the Governor’s Substance Abuse Prevention Red Ribbon Scholastic contest. The 2024 Governor’s Red Ribbon Campaign will offer a Scholastic contest which includes artistic, musical, spoken word, and written category options. The winners of all categories will be announced during the 2024 Awards Campaign Ceremony which will be held in the spring of 2025. The winners will be invited to the ceremony and presented with a prize, a certificate of achievement, have their picture posted on the DBHDD website in addition to placement in the 2025 Red Ribbon Planning Guide.
RED RIBBON WEEK POSTER CONTEST
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Behavioral Health Prevention invites Georgia students to submit applications for a poster contest. The winner will be announced at the Oct 23rd, 2024, Red Ribbon Kick Off ceremony. CONTEST PERIOD: The poster submissions must be received no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Click below for more information.
Life is GREAT Without the Vape! Coloring Sweepstakes
- Student first Name:
- Student Grade
- School Name:
- Teacher’s Name:
- Teacher’s Email Address:
Take the National Red Ribbon Campaign Pledge now and be a part of the creation of a drug free America.
Parent Pledge
- As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.
- We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
- We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.
- We will monitor our children’s behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
- We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.
Youth Pledge
I pledge to grow up safe, healthy and drug free by:
- Understanding the dangers of drug use and abuse.
- Respecting myself and being drug free.
- Spreading the word to family and friends about the importance of being healthy and drug free.
Activities
- Put the Red Ribbon Theme on the school marquee to deliver the message in the school and community.
- Have “wear red” day at school and other spirit days during the week. Incorporate prevention curriculum into classes each day.
- Schedule a speaker to speak to the students about the risks associated with drug use.
- Use the Red Ribbon Theme to create an Essay or Poster Contest.
- Use the Red Ribbon theme to decorate each classroom door and then each class competes for the best door.
- Use red material or plastic red Solo cups to spell out the Red Ribbon theme in the school chain link fence.
- Make small red bows for all students and staff members; wear the red bow every day during Red Ribbon Week®. Students who wear it every day win a prize.
- Deliver a drug prevention message every day during the morning announcements.
- Show the winning poster during the morning announcements.
- Read the winning essay during the morning announcements.
- Create a “Wall of Pledges” on a giant piece of poster paper in the main hallway. Print the Red Ribbon Theme on the poster paper and hang it up. Anyone who takes the “Pledge” signs his/her name on the poster.
- March around the school grounds chanting the Red Ribbon Theme or organize a walk-a-thon.
- Schedule a student screening of “Natural High” videos (naturalhigh.org)