Yesterday, the National Family Partnership announced a nationwide contest for the 27th annual Red Ribbon Week that will run from October 23-31.
Red Ribbon Week was created in 1985 by the National Family Partnership, when Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena was abducted and murdered. Red ribbons were worn as a sign of intolerance and awareness of drug use. Since then, Red Ribbon Week has turned into a national campaign reaching more than 80 million people worldwide.
“The 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,” DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said. “Red Ribbon Week is also when we honor DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena, who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.”
The idea of Red Ribbon Week is to raise awareness about the negative effects of drug use, especially among youth. Red Ribbon Week’s main goal is to get parents talking to their children about the dangers of drugs.
According to redribbon.org, “children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not”.
The Drug Enforcement Agency is co-sponsoring this year’s photo contest with the National Family Partnership. Families with school-age children are eligible to enter from now until Nov. 2.
The photo should be the family standing by its Red Ribbon-decorated front door, fence, mailbox, etc., with this year’s National Red Ribbon Week theme: The Best Me Is Drug Free. Winning families will receive $1000 grants towards their children’s schools and iPads. The contest is split into 10 regions across the country, and winners are selected through online voting from Nov. 2 to 16.
“Students will once again take Red Ribbon Week’s message of prevention home to their neighborhoods with this national contest,” National Family Partnership Volunteer President Peggy Sapp said. “By decorating their homes together with this year’s Red Ribbon theme, families carry the message to their communities.”
Red Ribbon Week remains the largest and oldest drug prevention campaign in the nation today.
The photo can be uploaded at www.redribbon.org/contest or www.facebook.com/redribbonweek. Contestants must be 18 years or older to enter.
While not everyone is eligible to enter the photo contest, the public and the community at UW can take the Red Ribbon Week pledge to help children grow up safe, healthy and drug free. Visit www.redribbon.org for more information.
