Logo

What is Red Ribbon Week?

Published on Oct 25, 2023 | 2:32 PM

Share Article :

social-icons social-icons social-icons
Table of Contents

Was this article helpful?

Want to learn about a specific topic or condition?

Submit

Originally a local celebration honoring the life of  Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agent Enrique S. Camarena, Red Ribbon Week grew to become a national movement in 1985 when it was brought to the attention of then First Lady Nancy Reagan before being formalized in 1988 by the National Family Partnership. (1) Now, Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually from October 23rd to the 31st to spread awareness about drug use prevention, education, and advocacy for drug-free communities.

What is Red Ribbon Week in schools? 

As a part of the national campaign, Red Ribbon Week in schools is an annual, week-long campaign focusing on drug and alcohol abuse prevention. During this week, participating schools and institutions organize a variety of activities and events to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and to encourage students to make healthy choices. These activities can include classroom discussions, assemblies, guest speakers, art and essay contests, wearing red ribbons, and engaging in community service projects related to drug prevention. Red Ribbon Week in schools serves as a valuable opportunity for educators and students to come together to address the issue of drug abuse and emphasize the importance of living a drug-free life. It helps create a supportive and educational environment to empower students with the knowledge and motivation to make responsible decisions regarding substance use.

How do you participate in Red Ribbon Week?

According to RedRibbon.org, participating in Red Ribbon Week is relatively straightforward and can involve various activities and efforts to promote drug and alcohol abuse prevention and education. Here are some ways to participate: 

  • Wear Red: A common way to participate is by wearing red ribbons, wristbands, or clothing during the week. Red serves as a symbol of commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
  • Educational Activities: Schools, community organizations, and individuals can organize educational activities. These may include classroom discussions, guest speakers, and workshops to inform people about the risks of substance abuse.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Create and share posters, banners, or social media posts that highlight the importance of drug prevention and Red Ribbon Week.
  • Pledge Drives: Encourage people to take drug-free pledges or sign commitment banners as a public declaration of their dedication to a drug-free lifestyle.
  • Art and Essay Contests: Organize art or essay competitions centered around the theme of drug prevention. This allows students and community members to express their thoughts on the topic.
  • Community Events: Host community events like parades, walks, or fairs to bring people together and raise awareness about the campaign.
  • Community Service: Engage in community service projects related to drug prevention and education, such as volunteering at local organizations dedicated to substance abuse recovery.
  • Parent and Family Involvement: Encourage parents and families to participate by discussing drug prevention with their children and attending school activities.
  • Promote Resources: Share information about local resources for those seeking help with substance abuse issues.
  • Year-Round Commitment: Remember that drug prevention efforts should extend beyond just one week. Encourage a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle year-round.

Call-On-Doc not only works to bring affordable and easy-to-use healthcare options to Americans across the country, but we also work with multiple different charities to provide services to those who need them. Not only are we devoted to making people feel better, but we also want our community to be a safe place for everyone to get involved. Learn more about how you can participate and bring the conversation home from school at redribbon.org!

Source:

“The History of Red Ribbon Week.” DEA.gov, https://www.dea.gov/red-ribbon/kiki-red-ribbon-history.

Was this article helpful?

Want to learn about a specific topic or condition?

Submit
Doctor-image-blog
Wayne C. Hahne,

English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.

Most Recent Blogs

How to Reset Your Gut After Holiday Eating

Holiday food is fun, comforting, nostalgic — and almost always disruptive to digestion.
Between irregular meal times, sugary treats, rich foods, alcohol, late-night snacking, and a big drop in fiber, your gut can easily feel “off” for days or even weeks as January begins.

If you're dealing with bloating, sluggish digestion, gas, reflux, constipation, or feeling unusually heavy after the holidays… you’re not alone.
This is one of the most common New Year concerns.

But here’s the good news:
You don’t need cleanses, detox powders, expensive probiotics, or restrictive diets to get your digestion back on track.
Your gut is designed to heal — it just needs the right environment.

Below is a simple, science-backed approach to reset your gut naturally, without supplements or extreme rules.

 

Jan 16, 2026 | 3:49 PM

Read More arrow right

Micro-Habits: The Tiny Daily Actions That Build Life-Long Change

Every January, people feel pressure to reinvent their entire lives overnight — wake up earlier, eat perfectly, drink only water, exercise daily, meditate, journal, sleep 8 hours, stay off their phones, and overhaul every routine all at once.
It sounds inspiring… until real life shows up.

Big goals feel exciting, but excitement is temporary.
Energy fluctuates. Stress rises. Motivation fades. Schedules change.
As soon as life gets chaotic, big routines fall apart — not because you failed, but because your brain wasn’t designed to operate on intensity.

What does work?
Micro-habits.
Small actions. Low effort. Low friction. Zero overwhelm.
The kind of steps your brain can repeat consistently — even on your busiest, most stressful days.

These tiny habits are one of the most powerful tools for building long-term behavior change, and January is the perfect time to start them.

 

Jan 15, 2026 | 3:41 PM

Read More arrow right

Do You Really Need Supplements in January?

Every January, supplement marketing explodes — powders, gummies, immune boosters, detox kits, vitamin packs, metabolism capsules, and “New Year reset” stacks promising energy, weight loss, clearer skin, or a healthier gut.

There’s nothing wrong with supplements.
For some people, they are incredibly helpful.
But the truth is: January marketing dramatically exaggerates their benefits, often pushing people to buy more than they need — or adding unnecessary stress and confusion to their health routine.

Your body doesn’t need a shopping cart full of pills.
It needs the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons.

In most cases, the foundational habits you build in January matter far more than the supplements you buy.

Let’s break down what’s actually useful, what’s optional, what’s often unnecessary, and how to know if a supplement is worth your time (and money).

 

Jan 14, 2026 | 3:35 PM

Read More arrow right

809,000+ starstarstarstarstar Reviews

809,000+ star star star star star Reviews

Feedback from our amazing patients!

4.9
star
google icon star facebook icon

Highest Rated Telemedicine Provider

star
4.9 (13102 Reviews)
star
4.8 (10001 Reviews)
star
4.9 (4570 Reviews)