Red Ribbon Month

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is an annual nationwide drug, alcohol, tobacco, and violence prevention awareness campaign observed across the United States from October 23 through October 31. It is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of youth each year.

Origin and Purpose

The campaign began in 1985 as a tribute to fallen DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was tragically murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico. In his honor, friends and community members began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to a safe, drug-free lifestyle and to show intolerance for illegal drugs.

In support of the national Red Ribbon campaign, the White Plains Cares Coalition executes at a local level to unite people and the community to take a stand against drugs. Initiatives include the following:

Kick-off the week by displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs and broadcast one message to change behavior.
After school program-integrated lessons and activity books for elementary school students
Speaker Series-straight talk to teens regarding suicide, bullying, and prescription drug abuse
Partnership with local police dept to promote safe disposal of prescription drugs
Compliance checks with local stores to check IDs and discourage underage drinking laws