27th annual Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31

RBC I Red Ribbon Week® is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. In 1988 after the murder of a DEA agent, parents, youth and teachers in communities across the country began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs. This year, families can get involved by entering a contest to promote awareness in their neighborhoods and win a drug prevention grant for their schools.
Families can enter Red Ribbon Week’s® contest to win a $1,000 grant for their school and a new iPad for their home.To participate in the contest families and students will decorate the front of their homes with this year’s message: “The Best Me Is Drug Free™.”
Here’s how students and their families can enter to win $1,000 for their K-12 school and a new iPad:
n Students bring the Red Ribbon Week® message home by working alongside parents to decorate their front door, mailbox, fence, etc. with this year’s theme “The Best Me Is Drug Free™.”
n Take a photo with the family and their Red Ribbon Week® decoration, then upload to www.redribbon.org/contest or www.facebook.com/RedRibbonWeek by Nov. 2 (must be parents or 18+ to upload photos).
n Ask family and friends to vote for your entry at www.redribbon.org/vote Nov. 2-16. Ten lucky winners from regions across the U.S. will win. Winners will be announced at events at their winning schools in December.
The DEA is co-sponsoring this year’s national contest.
“DEA is excited to partner with the National Family Partnership® on this contest that empowers communities to come together to talk about the drug problem,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Red Ribbon Week®is also when we honor DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena, who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.”
Adds the NFP’s Peggy Sapp: “Take the Red Ribbon Week® pledge across America to help children grow up safe, healthy and drug free.” Visit www.redribbon.org/contest for contest information.