The U.S. National Guard Recognizes Red Ribbon Week with Signed Proclamation

October 20th, 2022 – Miami, FL –Brig. Gen. Gary Charlton, Commander, 105th Airlift Wing, signed a proclamation today instating October 23 through October 31 as "Red Ribbon Week".

The proclamation states the following:

WHEREAS, the Red Ribbon Campaign is a national effort to commemorate the 1985 murder of Enrique (Kiki) Camerena, a federal narcotics agent, killed by drug traffickers, and to promote public awareness of the effects of drug abuse; and

WHEREAS, the County of Orange, the Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council of Orange County (ADAC), the 105th Airlift Wing, and the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force are working together to lead the Red Ribbon celebration of the Red Ribbon Campaign for a Drug-Free America; and

WHEREAS, Orange County, the ADAC, the 105th Airlift Wing, and the NY National Guard Counterdrug Task Force are putting forth great effort to raise awareness and promote alcohol and drug-free activities for youth; and

WHEREAS, this year’s National campaign theme is to “Celebrate Life, Live Drug Free!” and

WHEREAS, alcohol and drugs affect our health and our lifestyles, and many agencies have joined the Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council in this campaign.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Brigadier General Gary R. Charlton II, Commander, 105th Airlift Wing, do hereby proclaim October 23 through October 31, 2022 as:

“RED RIBBON WEEK”

My hand set forth upon this proclamation in the 105th Airlift Wing, on this date in October 2022, and I commend this observance to all members of the 105th Airlift Wing community.

HONORED THIS TWENTIETH DAY OF OCTOBER, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-TWO
New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
The Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council of Orange County.

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About the National Family Partnership

The National Family Partnership was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education, and advocacy. Its mission is to lead our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In addition to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, NFP sponsors the Lock Your Meds® Campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.redribbon.org and NFP at www.nfp.org.

Miami, Oct. 18, 2022 – Miami Dade College (MDC) will illuminate its Historic Landmark Freedom Tower red at sunset on Saturday, Oct. 23 through Monday, Oct. 31, to kick-off national Red Ribbon Week®, Oct. 23- 31, in support of Informed Families. FTX Arena (Formally Known as American Airlines Arena) and Brickell World Plaza will also be illuminated in support of the Red Ribbon Campaign®, which is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people each year.

Red Ribbon Week was created by the National Family Partnership after the death of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena in Mexico in 1985. It is an opportunity to show support for a drug free America and to talk to children about making healthy choices.

About Informed Families
The mission of Informed Families, a non-profit organization founded in 1982, is helping kids grow up safe, healthy and drug free. Informed Families focuses on educating, involving and empowering parents to work together to set boundaries and monitor their children’s behavior to prevent underage drinking, substance abuse and other harmful behaviors. Affiliated with the National Family Partnership, Informed Families is best known for being the Florida Sponsor of the National Red Ribbon Campaign. Informed Families also boasts multiple school and community-based prevention programs targeting youth, parents and communities. For more information on Informed Families and how to get Informed Families programs into your school, please visit www.informedfamilies.org, or call 305-856-4886.

WHAT: Freedom Tower Goes Red to Kick-Off Red Ribbon Week

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23 through Monday, Oct. 31., at sunset

WHERE: Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd.


MDC Media Contacts: Irene Muñoz, interim director of communications, 305-237-3030, imunoz@mdc.edu; Sue Arrowsmith, director of media relations, 305-237-3710, sarrowsm@mdc.edu; Allison Horton, 305-237-3359, ahorton2@mdc.edu; or Norma Ardila, 305-237-3607, nardila@mdc.edu.

This and other MDC releases are available on the web at www.mdc.edu.

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Red Ribbon Week is Recognized in the State of New Hampshire House

October 19th, 2022 – Miami, FL – On behalf of National Family Partnership, we would like to thank Congressman Chris Pappas and New Hampshire First Congressional District Constituents for recognizing Red Ribbon Week. Below you will find an excerpt of Congressman Chris Pappas addressing the House on October 16th, 2022.

Congressman Chris Pappas: Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Red Ribbon Week. In 1988, the National Family Partnership dedicated the week of October 23-31 to raising awareness about the dangers of drug use and the harm that drug trafficking brings to our communities. For the past 34 years the NFP has continued their work, raising awareness for families and schools in neighborhoods across New Hampshire.

For all too many New Hampshire families--including mine--the nation's drug crisis is deeply personal. Many of us have lost neighbors, friends, and loved ones to overdoses and the harmful effects of drug use in recent years. We have learned that the pain of addiction hurts not just one member of our community, but us all. As the representative for New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I remain firmly committed to improving the drug-detection capabilities of our law enforcement officials and will not stop calling for the resources to help those struggling with addiction to lead productive, healthy lifestyles. This is why I was proud to introduce the Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2022 as well as the National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act. These bills work to strengthen our law enforcement's ability to go after those trafficking drugs on the dark web, as well as providing funding for law enforcement and service agencies to support children who have experienced a traumatic event, like witnessing a drug overdose by a loved one, to support their wellbeing and future success in life.

The mission of Red Ribbon Week to bring these issues into the light and to educate our youth about the dangers of drugs is critical to begin healing our state and our country. I am honored to work with the many New Hampshire partners taking on this challenge, including our healthcare and recovery workers, Drug Free Communities, First Responders, and law enforcement from the local state and federal level including the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. Each partner carries on the mission to stop illicit substances from harming our communities, while never giving up hope for those in recovery.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to thank the National Family Partnership and the Drug Enforcement Agency for your work on this issue and hope my fellow Granite Staters will join me in recognizing the 2022 National Red Ribbon Week.

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About the National Family Partnership

The National Family Partnership was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education, and advocacy. Its mission is to lead our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In addition to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, NFP sponsors the Lock Your Meds® Campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.redribbon.org and NFP at www.nfp.org.

Red Ribbon Week is Here, How Will You Get Involved?

October 18th, 2022 – Miami, FL –Spooky Season is October 31st, BUT Red Ribbon Week starts October 23rd! So put on your best costume (preferably something in red!) and learn how you can “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free” Red Ribbon Week.

NFP is laser focused on bringing drug awareness and visibility to communities and youth by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Campaign™. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. 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 cause by drugs in America. In 1988, 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.

Here are ways you can get involved during the 2022 Red Ribbon Week:

• Enter the 12th Annual 2022 Red Ribbon Photo Contest for a chance to win $1000 for K-12 School and an iPad! You can submit your creative photo at redribbon.org/contest.
• Sponsor a Classroom, Grade, or School by purchasing a bundle of this year’s favorite items. You can choose a sponsorship package at nfp.org/store.
• Even though Halloween is coming up! Get dressed in your best costume and put on your creative hats to enter the 2023 Red Ribbon Theme Contest for a chance to win $500 in Red Ribbon Merchandise! Submissions are due by December 4th, 2022, via email at RedRibbon@NFP.org.
• During Red Ribbon Week, October 23rd-31st, communities across the nation are encouraged to Light Up America Red by lighting up classrooms, offices, libraries, and other locations in red using red bulbs, gel filters or red balloons and decorations. Participants can post Go Red for Red Ribbon photos or if they spot one of the landmarks lightning up in red on social media using the hashtags #DEARedRibbon, #LightUpAmericaRed, and #NationalFamilyPartnership.

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About the National Family Partnership

The National Family Partnership was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education, and advocacy. Its mission is to lead our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In addition to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, NFP sponsors the Lock Your Meds® Campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.redribbon.org and NFP at www.nfp.org.

Illuminating Florida in Red to Support Drug-Free Prevention

September 23, 2022 – Miami, FL – Why do some individuals become addicted to drug misuse while others don't? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), research on family studies that include identical twins, fraternal twins, adoptees, and siblings suggest that as much as half of a person's risk of becoming addicted to nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs depends on his or her genetic makeup and the other half on external factors. When twins are born with a genetic predisposition to substance abuse, and one is placed in a family that uses drugs and the other is placed in an environment that doesn’t use drugs. It is significantly more likely that the twin exposed to the first environment will seek the use of drugs. What does this mean. Environment trumps hereditary. Our surroundings can greatly affect an individual’s likelihood of drug use and addiction. Fascinating, isn’t it? By sending healthy messages to the community, you are making a difference in their health and future. Research has shown that school health programs can reduce the prevalence of health risk behaviors among adolescents and youth and have a positive effect on academic performance.

During Red Ribbon Week, October 23rd-31st, national landmarks light up in red to recognize the nation’s oldest and largest drug misuse prevention awareness program. In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, several landmarks in the State of Florida will light up in red to bring awareness to living a drug-free life. A complete list of landmarks in the Miami division who are Lightning Up America Red can be found below. Communities across the nation are encouraged to Light Up America Red by lighting up classrooms, offices, libraries, and other locations in red using red bulbs, gel filters or red balloons and decorations.

Participants can post Go Red for Red Ribbon photos or if they spot one of the landmarks lightning up in red on social media using the hashtags #DEARedRibbon , #LightUpAmericaRed, and #NationalFamilyPartnership. 

To learn more about how your school or community can host a Red Ribbon Week event, please contact Elizabeth Golshteyn at egolshteyn@informedfamilies.org.

Miami

Brickell World Plaza
City of Hialeah
FTX Arena (Formerly Known as American Airlines Arena)
MDC Freedom Tower
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
SR 836/ Dolphin Expressway
SR 924/ Gratigny Expressway
SR 112/ Airport Expressway
SR 874/ Don Shula Expressway
SR 878/ Snapper Expressway
17 Avenue and the SR 836 (Tolling Gantry)

Orlando

Amway Spire
Fountain at Lake Eola

Tallahassee

Florida State Capitol

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About the National Family Partnership

The National Family Partnership was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education, and advocacy. Its mission is to lead our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In addition to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, NFP sponsors the Lock Your Meds® Campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.redribbon.org and NFP at www.nfp.org.

RESCHEDULED- The Drug Enforcement Administration will hold its annual National Red Ribbon Rally virtually this year. Our virtual rally will premiere on https://www.dea.gov on October 20, 2022, at 12:00pm PST and be available to share throughout the month of October.

This year’s Red Ribbon Rally features voices from our community and special guests who represent diverse experiences and perspectives on drug prevention and Red Ribbon activism, including youth performances that celebrate living drug-free. The DEA will recognize the 2021 Red Ribbon Photo Contest Winners co-sponsored by National Family Partnership. In addition, we will recognize the elementary, middle, and high school winners of the DEA Red Ribbon Visual Arts Contest, and announce the community groups selected to receive DEA’s 2022 Community Drug Prevention Award.

During Red Ribbon Week, young people in communities and schools across the nation pledge to live drug-free by wearing red ribbons and participating in anti-drug events. Red Ribbon Week is also a time to pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, whose tragic murder led to the creation of the Red Ribbon Campaign. He is the man and hero behind the Red Ribbon Campaign. Today, millions of Americans all over the United States continue to wear red ribbons to symbolize their support for a united, drug-free nation.

Tickets are not required. No need to RSVP.
Spread the word. Everyone is invited.
Click the link below to download the invitation:
https://admin.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/2022-Red-Ribbon-Rally-Invite-2.pdf
Any questions regarding the virtual rally please email: community.outreach@usdoj.gov.

For more information and resources for Red Ribbon Week please visit: https://www.dea.gov/redribbon

The rate of U.S. teen vaping and marijuana use is on the rise, while their use of other substances including alcohol and cigarettes is declining, according to a new study.

Researchers tracking substance use trends among U.S. teens over the past 30 years found substance use has generally declined, except for overall marijuana use and vaping nicotine and marijuana, HealthDay reports.

The percentage of U.S. teens who said they had vaped nicotine in the past month increased from 7% to 17% between 2017 and 2019, the study found. Marijuana vaping rose from just over 3% to almost 10% during that time.

Rates of substance use were highest among teens who had a job or who spent a lot of time with friends, without adults around, the study found. Substance use was least likely to occur among teens who did not spend a lot of time around friends or who took part in sports or other structured activities.

“Years of research show that when young people are engaged in activities they enjoy and feel are meaningful, they have less reason to turn to substance use to soothe their boredom or seek sensation,” said Linda Richter, vice president of prevention research and analysis for Partnership to End Addiction, who was not involved in the study.

Article Source Link

Two potent substances are increasingly being linked to overdoses, NBC News reports. One is a group of synthetic opioids called nitazenes, and the other is an animal tranquilizer called xylazine.

Nitazenes can be up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl, the article notes. Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report that showed a fourfold increase in deadly overdoses linked to nitazenes in Tennessee in the last two years. No nitazene-related deaths were documented in the state in 2019. The following year, 10 such deaths were reported, and 42 were reported in 2021.

“Naloxone has been effective in reversing nitazene-involved overdoses, but multiple doses might be needed,” the CDC report said. The researchers noted, “Given their potency, raising awareness about nitazenes and implementing strategies to reduce harm through increased testing, surveillance, and linkage to treatment for substance use disorders are of vital importance.”

Addiction experts told NBC News that traces of the non-opioid animal tranquilizer xylazine is also showing up in fentanyl samples. Xylazine is often referred to as “tranq” or “tranq dope,” and can cause people to slip into a state of unconsciousness for hours.

Article Source Link

Contest Submissions Accepted through November 1st

September 23, 2022 – Miami, FL –Beginning October 1st, students, families, and schools across America are invited to participate in the 12th Annual National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest aimed at raising visibility to live drug-free by being creative. The contest, co-sponsored by the National Family Partnership (NFP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be held in conjunction with National Red Ribbon Week, which takes place each year from October 23rd through 31st. The contest will award more than $20,000 to K-12 schools in cities across America.

The photo contest involves participants decorating the fronts of their homes (front door, mailbox, or fence), and/or school campuses with double-looped red ribbons while incorporating this year's Red Ribbon theme, Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free. ™ Participants enter the contest by taking a photo of their decorations (preferably with people in it!) and uploading it to the redribbon.org/contest website. You must be 18 years old to enter, so parents (or for school entries, school staff or PTA members) must submit the photos.

Twenty winners will be selected from two entry categories: Home Entry or School Entry. The top five schools and top five home submissions that receive the most votes in five designated DEA regions across the country will win $1,000 for the school of their choice and an Apple iPad for personal use. Additionally, ten winners will be selected from the following categories: Most Creative Home, Best Use of Family, Best Use of Theme, Best Virtual Photo, Most Educational, Most Creative School or Virtual School, Best Use of School or Virtual School, Best Use of Theme, Most Ambitious and Most Educational. The winners of these categories will also win $1,000 for the school of their choice and an Apple iPad for personal use.

The DEA has been a longtime co-sponsor of the National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest, which is now in its twelfth year. Keeping communities Drug-Free is a mission both the DEA and NFP have been laser focused on shared for many years. NFP hopes this fun and interactive photo contest will bring awareness about living Drug-Free to communities across the country.

“Each year, the National Family Partnership encourages the joy of living a Drug-Free life,” said Peggy Sapp, Volunteer President of National Family Partnership and President and CEO of Informed Families. “The Community’s involvement is important to helping a person’s choose to live drug free."

The contest begins October 1st at 9 a.m. E.S.T. and ends November 1st at 9 p.m. E.S.T. The voting period begins November 2nd and ends November 16th. The 2022 Red Ribbon Photo Contest Winners will be announced December 2nd. Please visit www.redribbon.org/contest for more information.

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About the National Family Partnership

The National Family Partnership was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education, and advocacy. Its mission is to lead our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. In addition to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, NFP sponsors the Lock Your Meds® Campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.redribbon.org and NFP at www.nfp.org. 

Learn how to make a winning video during SAMHSA and DEA Twitter chat

As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Red Ribbon Week campaign, DEA and SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention are co-sponsoring the annual Campus Video PSA Contest! The contest is designed to support colleges and universities in promoting the importance of preventing alcohol and drug misuse among college students.

Interested in competing? Join SAMHSA, the DEA’s Campus Drug Prevention initiative, and the larger prevention community for a Twitter chat on Wednesday, September 21, at 2 p.m. ET. During the chat, SAMHSA will share video creation tools, resources, and inspiration to help you create the very best 30- to 60-second video PSA showcasing your campus’s commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle!

This year DEA announced that they will be awarding prizes to first, second, and third place-winning entries to support campus prevention efforts.

• First place will receive $5,000 and a trip for two to NASPA’s Strategies Conference (January 18-21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri).
• Second place will receive $3,000.
• Third place will receive $1,000.

Follow #AskDEACampus, @SAMHSAgov, and @DEAHQ on Twitter to participate in the conversation. You can learn more about the PSA contest by visiting www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest.

Did you know? Red Ribbon Week was created to honor DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena after he was murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. The week has now become an annual event highlighting the importance of preventing drug misuse in our nation’s schools and communities. Each year from October 23–31, organizations across the U.S. show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle by wearing or displaying the Red Ribbon.