The Importance of Red Ribbon Week
PCA will soon join schools across the nation in celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 10 – 13. Red Ribbon Week is a weeklong campaign focused on drug and alcohol use and prevention among students.
How Was Red Ribbon Week Started?
Its origin is from a community that rallied together after the murder of a local D.E.A. agent investigating cocaine and marijuana traffickers. Upon hearing the news, his community covered the town with red ribbons, symbolizing their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. The awareness spread throughout the state and eventually caught the attention of First Lady Mrs. Nancy Reagan. It became an official campaign in 1988 and is now Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign.
Click here to watch a video on how Red Ribbon Week began!
Start the Conversation!
As we approach Red Ribbon Week, we encourage you to use this as an opportunity to have intentional discussions with your children. Click here for a few ideas to start the conservation about the dangers of drugs and how to recognize and get out of bad situations.
In addition to keeping the lines of communication open with these seemingly casual conversations, use these discussion topics to involve children in establishing family boundaries and consequences related to substance abuse.
“Help kids know how to turn down drugs if they are offered. Let them know they can always text or call if they want to leave a situation…Drugs can affect any family. But by talking with your kids and staying involved in their lives, you can help keep them safe.” –Larissa Hirsch, MD.
From October 10 – 13, all grades will be learning about the Red Ribbon Week Campaign by hearing speakers in chapel and their classrooms. The elementary school will have a slogan and dress-up day competition on October 12. Students may wear any Red Ribbon T-shirt, red shirt, or PCA uniform during these days.
If you would like to discuss this topic further, don’t hesitate to get in touch with PCA’s guidance counselors, Pat Dean or Lisa Reid.
