Looking for Red Ribbon Themed Merchandise? Look no further! Check out these high-quality products from NIMCO. Visit NIMCO’s website to purchase merchandise such as Red Ribbon Themed wrist bands, Pop-up phone grippers, T-shirts, water bottles and more. Visit www.NimcoInc.com and help us spread the word!
His mission was to get drugs off the street and his death was not in vain. DEA agent Enrique (Kiki) Camarena dedicated his career to putting an end to the influx of drugs in United States in the 1980s. Sadly, on what appeared to be a typical day in February of 1985, Agent Camarena was kidnapped, and his lifeless body was found a month later in Mexico. His death inspired communities across the nation to call awareness to drug and alcohol abuse within their communities by wearing red ribbons, thus continuing Agent Camarena’s mission. The story that sparked the beginning of the National Red Ribbon Campaign™ is now available for download in Spanish. Click here and access it via our downloads page.
Print out the Red Ribbon Theme sign, add your name, hold it up and post a photo that shows us you’re committed to living drug free.
Tag us on Facebook & Twitter: @RedRibbonWeek Instagram: @RedRibbonCampaign
How about your school, office building, local bridge or stadium? Find out if it can be turned red in honor of Red Ribbon Week.
Spread the Red Ribbon message online. Use our Facebook and Twitter posts!
Virtual Red Ribbon Campaign Tools
Share your support for Red Ribbon Week with your friends and followers! Together, we can send a clear message across America. All you have to do to participate is tweet or post on Facebook with any or all of the suggested language below to spread the word about Red Ribbon Week: See the examples below, copy the language you want to use on your blog or social networking site and start spreading the message! We also encourage you to take a photo of your favorite drug-free activities and post on Instagram with #redribbonweek and #BeHappyBeBraveBeDrugFree.
Sample Facebook Posts
Sample Tweets
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.
Click here to view our Vaping Fact Sheet.
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.
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.
Miami (February 3, 2020) – The Red Ribbon Campaign unveiled its new 2020 Red Ribbon Theme, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free. ™” which was chosen from hundreds of submissions through a national contest, and will be used throughout 2020 in thousands of schools and communities across America.
Submitted by Tricia Nelson, a Physical Education Teacher at Locust Corner Elementary School in Cincinnati, the theme will help amplify the campaign’s mission which is to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, safe and drug-free lives. The theme will especially be highlighted during Red Ribbon Week®, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, taking place each year from October 23 through 31st .
A first year Elementary School teacher, Tricia aims to instill hope and strength in her students. “I often tell my students that they are brave and strong, especially if they are having a hard time with a new activity,” she said. She emphasized the importance of the Red Ribbon Campaign’s message which she hopes will resonate when challenges arise. “I love how the campaign starts a difficult conversation between students and teachers,” she said. “I hope that when faced with tough decisions, students look back, remember Red Ribbon Week and make healthy choices.”
Last year, Tricia’s students participated in a dress up day called “Sock it to Drugs.” Students also discussed making healthy choices and talked about their future hopes and dreams. “I really would like the theme to inspire others for use as their mantra. Bravery is not just for superheroes.”
Each year the National Family Partnership (NFP) sponsors the Red Ribbon Theme Contest by inviting Americans across the country to submit a unique slogan that captures the essence and mission of the campaign.
“We really strive to give educators and students a chance to shape the campaign in a way that is meaningful and relevant to the community each year,” said Peggy B. Sapp, NFP President. “So many of our youth are fascinated by superhero culture from Superman and Wonder Woman to Captain Marvel and Spider-Man. It’s only fitting that this year we encourage them to be happy, brave and drug free.”
Theme submissions are accepted beginning January 1 through December 2. Winners receive national recognition and $500 worth of Red Ribbon Week themed merchandise for their local K- 12 school. Individuals who are interested in purchasing Red Ribbon Themed products should visit www.nimcoinc.com, the official supplier of the Red Ribbon Campaign.
Get involved! Share your Red Ribbon plans/events here. Check out our 2020 Red Ribbon Planning guide here, and get a head start on purchasing your Red Ribbon themed supplies by visiting www.nimcoinc.com, the official supplier of Red Ribbon Campaign themed merchandise.
The National Family Partnership was established in 1980 and is a national leader in drug prevention, education and advocacy. Its mission is to educate families, and to help kids grow up safe, healthy and drug free, through the promotion of two national campaigns: Red Ribbon Week® and the Lock Your Meds campaign for prescription drug abuse awareness. Learn more about Red Ribbon Week at www.RedRibbon.org, Lock Your Meds at www.LockYourMeds.org and NFP at www.nfp.org.
The Red Ribbon became a symbol for drug prevention in 1985, in response to the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Informed Families started the first county-wide Red Ribbon campaign in 1986. In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Week® celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families.
