"Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free."™

January 31^st, 2023 – Miami, FL– Today, the National Family Partnership (NFP) proudly revealed the theme for the 2024 Red Ribbon Week: "Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free.™" This creative theme was submitted by Cheryl Holsapfel, Digital Art Teacher, and Devansh Aggarwal from Solon Middle School. It serves as a powerful reminder that ordinary Americans nationwide contribute significantly to their communities every day by embracing a drug-free lifestyle.

The annual Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest, sponsored by the National Family Partnership, attracts millions of submissions across the nation, inviting participants to craft slogans that embody the campaign's mission. "Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free.™" was selected because it inspires individuals to play their part in fostering safe, healthy, and drug-free communities. From healthcare professionals to educators, parents, and beyond, the theme underscores the collective impact achievable through dedication and commitment.

Cheryl Holsapfel, the Digital Art Teacher at Solon Middle School, shared her enthusiasm for integrating the Red Ribbon project into her curriculum. "I teach a class called digital art, where we focus on design, visual literacy, and 21st-century skills. Incorporating the Red Ribbon theme contest into our lessons provides students with real-world application and engagement. We analyze our audience, explore various printing applications, and refine slogans to ensure clarity and creativity. It's incredibly rewarding to witness our students' ideas come to life and make a difference in the community," she expressed.

The origin of the Red Ribbon Campaign traces back to 1985, following the tragic murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. This initiative, initiated by NFP, symbolizes a commitment to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs in America.

Peggy B. Sapp, President of NFP, emphasized the importance of community engagement through initiatives like the theme contest. "The Red Ribbon theme contest is just one of the ways NFP raises awareness in our communities. Each year, we encourage the public to share their perspectives on living drug-free. This year, we invite them to showcase what drug-free living means to them through photography, serving as representatives of our collective commitment to a drug-free lifestyle," she stated.

Theme submissions for the Red Ribbon Week Contest are open annually from January 1st to December 4th. Winners of the contest receive $500 worth of Red Ribbon Week themed merchandise, generously provided by Nimco, Inc. As the sole supplier of Red Ribbon Merchandise Theme materials, Nimco, Inc. supports ongoing drug education efforts in schools nationwide.

Red Ribbon Week is observed annually from October 23rd to 31st. Join us in making a difference by getting involved. To learn more about the contest and the campaign, visit www.RedRibbon.org.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Elizabeth Golshteyn
EGolshteyn@InformedFamilies.org

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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 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.

January 30th, 2023 – Miami, FL– Today the National Family Partnership (NFP) unveiled its 2023 Red Ribbon Week Theme, "Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.™". Submitted by Danielle Helm, a Youth Service Coordinator from Russell County Middle School in Russell Springs, Kentucky. This year’s theme is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live Drug-Free!

Each year, the National Family Partnership sponsors the Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest. The theme contest invites millions of Americans across the country to submit a unique slogan that captures the essence and mission of the campaign. Danielle’s theme was chosen because it encourages us to do our individual parts to keep our communities safe, healthy and drug free. All segments of the community, health care workers, police officers, educators, school bus drivers, parents… people just like you and me, are examples of what we can achieve through self-dedication, care, and commitment. The theme encourages everyone to use their voice to make a difference no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they do. The possibilities are endless when we work together!

“I chose this theme because drugs alter our current brain development and hinders further growth. Drugs decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the reward system of our brain, such as Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. This can block our brain from naturally experiencing happiness,” said Danielle. “"Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free". is about making positive choices to be happy and healthy-that is being kind to our mind.”

NFP organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. After his murder, parents, and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America.

“The theme contest is just one-way NFP brings awareness to the community,” said Peggy B. Sapp, NFP President. “Each year we strive to engage the public by inviting them to share what living Drug-Free means to them. This year we are inviting them to show us what Drug-Free looks like by sharing different photos of themselves as representatives of the community.”

Theme submissions are accepted each year from January 1st through December 4th and winners of the contest receive $500 in Ribbon Week themed merchandise courtesy of Nimco, Inc. NIMCO is the only place families, children, and schools can purchase Red Ribbon Merchandise Theme material to support ongoing drug education in the schools.

Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23rd through 31st. We invite you to join us by getting involved. Learn more about the contest and the campaign by visiting www.RedRibbon.org.

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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.

As a reminder, Red Ribbon themes are owned by The National Family Partnership and are protected under US copyright and trademark law. While we encourage teachers, educators and community partners to share the theme, we’d like to remind you that sharing and reprinting the theme logo should be for informational and educational purposes only and not used for profit. Theme materials cannot be altered, distributed or sold without our permission. If you are interested in producing Red Ribbon merchandise, please contact the National Family Partnership at info@nfp.org for information.

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!

The 2019 National Red Ribbon Week theme is: Send a Message. Stay Drug Free.™

Izabella Ware, a student from Griswold Middle School in Griswold, CT, created the winning theme for 2019 Red Ribbon Week, which takes place October 23-31. Ware's theme, "Send A Message. Stay Drug Free."  was selected among thousands of Red Ribbon theme ideas submitted by students, parents, educators and members of communities across America.

Griswold Middle School will receive national recognition and $500 in Red Ribbon Theme merchandise from Nimco, Inc.

• The theme is a call to action to speak out in support of healthy choices. The theme is also a reminder that by staying drug free, you are sending a message to yourself and others about how much you value yourself, your overall health, your community and your future.

The annual National Red Ribbon Theme Contest, sponsored by the National Family Partnership, offers students and other prevention supporters the opportunity to be a part of history. The winning slogan will be used throughout 2019 in thousands of schools and communities across America.

As the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign, Red Ribbon Week® reaches over 80 million people each year throughout the United States.

This is the first year that a student at Griswold Middle School won the National Red Ribbon Theme contest. Izabella learned about the contest from her health teacher Kristen Butremovic, who has been celebrating the Red Ribbon Campaign for 21 years.

Want to make 2019 Red Ribbon Week the best yet? Stay tuned for the release of our 2019 Red Ribbon Planning Guide. Share your Red Ribbon plans/events here. Check out our curriculum ideas here. And stay tuned for details about our 2019 National Red Ribbon Photo Contest.