Because it attacks the lungs, the virus could pose a serious threat to those who smoke or vape. People with opioid use disorder and methamphetamine use disorder may also be vulnerable due to those drugs' effects on respiratory and pulmonary health. Read more here: COVID-19

The Red Ribbon Campaign has partnered with the Lung Love Foundation in order to bring you the facts about the dangers of vaping. The organization was started after its founder, Chance Ammirata nearly died after Juuling.  To learn more about the organization visit: LungLoveFoundation.org

Click the link to watch Chance’s CBS News interview: Chance's story.

Sunny Lofton, Principal of La Vista Center in Fair Oaks, California is the 2020 recipient of the Enrique Camarena Red Ribbon Award. The annual award recognizes and honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of drug prevention, and the winner personifies Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.

He was nominated for the award by La Vista school counselor Trudy Boyd who described him as a role model for all students to follow. “He is friendly, upbeat and happy and will go out of his way to help the students in any way he can,” she said. “Sunny takes on any situation given to him and manages it in order to attain the best possible outcome.”

A second year Principal at La Vista Center, Sunny has welcomed several outside groups to the school to present information about drug prevention and intervention. In addition to encouraging others to stay drug-free, he is also an advocate of sports programs and work projects designed to keep students’ minds active. Sunny also makes it a priority to get the school’s therapists involved when a student struggles with drug use and addiction. “I attempt to use alternative discipline measures instead of just suspension for those who are caught with drugs or alcohol in their possession.”  He said. He also implemented the use of an app that allows students to stay anonymous when they want to report drug use on campus. He often uses the slogan “Find Your Path” and tries to help his students find their individual and unique ways to be successful. His message for schools and teachers is to recognize their impact and influence over their students’ lives. “Kids are at risk now more than ever,” he said. “And while drugs like marijuana and the use of vaping are on the rise, I am still fighting the fight!”

If you know someone who is an outstanding contributor to the field of drug prevention in your community, you may nominate them by completing the Enrique Camarena award form located inside the School Planning Guide. You can download it here: https://redribbon.org/downloads/

Teachers, we want to hear from your students. Ask them to think of a time when they took an opportunity to encourage someone to stay drug free.

• What were the circumstances?
• How did it turn out?

We’d like to hear their story. Have them send us their name, grade and school name and they could be featured online and receive a discount on Red Ribbon merchandise. Email us at: RedRibbon@NFP.org by Friday, February 28.

NEW THEME IS: “BE HAPPY. BE BRAVE. BE DRUG FREE.” ™

Have you heard of the Dry January Challenge? Dry January is a campaign that urges people to abstain from alcohol during the month of January. Learn more about how taking a break from drinking for 30 days can lead to lasting health benefits. 

Click Here

Miami, FL (December 2, 2019) – National Family Partnership (NFP) is proud to announce the 20 winners of its 9th Annual National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest, that was held in conjunction with National Red Ribbon Week which takes place each year from October 23 through 31.

Co-sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the annual contest invited families and schools across the country to decorate the fronts of their homes and school campuses with a double-looped red ribbon in order to draw attention to the importance of staying drug free.  This year all submissions were required to incorporate the 2019 campaign slogan, Send A Message. Stay Drug Free.™

The winning photos were among hundreds of entries uploaded to RedRibbon.org. Ten winners received the most votes in their designated regions, and ten winners were chosen to receive a home or school award from a category that included: Most Creative, Best Use of School and Community, Best Use of the Theme, Most Parent or Family Participation, and Most Educational.  Families and individuals who entered on behalf of their schools will receive an Apple iPad and a $1,000 donation made to the K-12 school of their choice in support of drug prevention.

“The National Family Partnership (NFP) works tirelessly to help Americans across the country come together to keep children, families and communities safe through education, networking and by sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Photo Contest,” said NFP President Peggy Sapp.  "We congratulate the winners and thank them for helping us to continue to spread our message through their beautiful and creative photos.”

Kelly Fox, SADD Advisor and Health Teacher at Braintree High School in Braintree, MA won an award for receiving the most votes in her region. 

“I really enjoy the unity that surrounds Red Ribbon Week,” she said. This initiative helps our community come together and allows us to talk about substance abuse prevention while also giving us something positive and exciting to focus on.”

For the last nine years, the Drug Enforcement Administration has co-sponsored the contest. 

“The Drug Enforcement Administration is pleased to co-sponsor the National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest,” said Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “This contest is a great way to start discussions about preventing drug abuse and drug misuse among youth at home and in school. During Red Ribbon Week, we honor the sacrifice made by DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and highlight the importance of living a drug-free life.”

More than 23,000 votes were cast in support of more than 400 contest entries.

2019 CONTEST WINNERS:

Home Judges Awards:

• Most Creative - Cammy Dupree – Scott, LA - Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy
• Most Pizazz - Brianna Brewster – Pembroke Pines, FL - Pembroke Pines Charter School - FSU Campus
• Best Use of Family and Community - Robin Rog – Chicago, IL - St. Eugene School
• Best Use of the Theme - Natalia Solares – Pembroke Pines, FL – Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School
• Most Family/Parent Representation - Betty Robinson – Hialeah, FL - Kinloch Park Middle School
• Most Educational – Arcelia Arellano – Hemet, CA - Hemet Elementary

School Judges Awards:

• Most Creative – Rachel Branagan – Munster, IN – Elliott Elementary School
• Best Use of School and Community – Lety Gonzalez – Beaumont, TX – Regina Howell Elementary School
• Best Use of the Theme – Alisa Nepp – Ringgold, GA – Ringgold Elementary School
• Most Ambitious, Lauren Andrews – Lehi, UT – Meadow Elementary School
• Most Educational – Debbi Fincher – Friday Harbor, WA – Friday Harbor High School