Red Ribbon Week

cover of the 2023 Red Ribbon Week Planning Guide showing a red balloon with the words Celebrate Life Live Drug Free Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 through 31st. Join us in our MISSION to help keep kids drug-free."

Since its beginning in 1985, the red ribbon has touched the lives of millions worldwide. In response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (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. 1988 the National Family Partnership (NFP) 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.

Red Ribbon Week Resources

Below are links to multiple resources to assist schools in the educational fight against drugs. The first two links are to documentaries that highlight the impact of opioids on families and communities. 7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas was produced via a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas PBS. The second – Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict – was developed by the FBI and DEA and covers the epidemic on the national level.

In addition to these two documentaries, links to state and national resources are listed along with phone numbers and links to resources for addiction, recovery, and support.

Documentary Resources

7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas

Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict

Urgent Resources