On October 22 and 23, 2011, Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated in Austin, Texas. Red Ribbon Week is the largest and oldest drug prevention campaign in the country, reaching millions of children since it began. The campaign went nationwide in 1988, when the National Family Partnership organized an expansion of this activity that had previously been regional.
This year, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse decided to join in to further the effectiveness of the Red Ribbon Campaign. The Commission wanted to use this campaign to help prevent Texas children from ever starting to abuse drugs or alcohol. Texas Red Ribbon Week 2011 will start with a rally at the Texas State Capitol on October 13, 2011. Hundreds of schoolchildren are expected to attend.
Red Ribbon is an event honoring Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a DEA special agent who was killed by drug traffickers in 1985. “ Camarena Clubs” were started in high schools in California and soon to spread across the nation. Because of this club, many thousands of students have pledged to lead drug-free lives.
In 1988, Congress proclaimed the first national Red Ribbon Campaign. Texas Department of State Health Services provides resources to ensure that the Red Ribbon Campaign continues to send out its drug-free message each year.
Education is one of the most important factors in preventing drug abuse. The Red Ribbon Campaign takes it one step further: It gets children all over the U.S. to pledge that they will live drug-free. You can get involved by going to the Red Ribbon Week site and following the steps for participating in this campaign.
Texas drug rehabs can contribute to making this campaign a success by distributing drug education materials to their communities during this annual event.
If you or someone you love has a problem with addiction, the Narconon Riverbend long term drug rehab can help. Call our hotline now at 1-877-862-4326.
