Published on Oct 25, 2023 | 2:32 PM
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What Is Red Ribbon Week?
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug and alcohol prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States, typically during the last week of October. It is designed to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles among children, adolescents, families, and communities.
The campaign encourages education, open conversation, and community involvement around substance use prevention, with a strong emphasis on youth awareness and early intervention.
Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 following the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed while investigating drug trafficking. In response, communities started wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice and to symbolize a commitment to living drug-free.
What started as a grassroots movement grew into the largest drug prevention campaign in the United States, supported by schools, families, healthcare organizations, and community groups nationwide.
The red ribbon serves as a visible symbol of:
Awareness of substance misuse and its impact
Commitment to healthy, drug-free choices
Support for prevention education and community responsibility
Wearing a red ribbon represents a personal and collective pledge to make safe, healthy decisions.
Substance use often begins during adolescence, making early education and prevention critical. Red Ribbon Week provides an opportunity to start age-appropriate conversations about drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and decision-making.
Research consistently shows that prevention programs focused on education, family involvement, and skill-building can reduce risky behaviors and support long-term health outcomes.
Red Ribbon Week is observed by:
Schools and educators
Students of all ages
Parents and families
Community organizations
Healthcare providers
Activities may include school assemblies, classroom discussions, themed spirit days, educational materials, and community events focused on prevention and wellness.
Healthcare providers play an important role in substance use prevention by offering education, screening, and early support. Routine conversations about mental health, stress, and coping strategies help identify risk factors before substance misuse develops.
Access to confidential medical guidance also reduces stigma and encourages individuals and families to seek help when concerns arise.
Call-On-Doc supports prevention and education by providing accessible, judgment-free healthcare for individuals and families.
Through telehealth, patients can:
Discuss concerns about substance use or mental health
Receive screening and education
Access care early without barriers or stigma
Healthcare that fits your life — not your calendar.
updated 01/26/2026 Shelly House, FNP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Call-On-Doc’s trusted medical education voice. With extensive experience in telehealth and patient-centered care, Ms. House is dedicated to making complex health topics simple and accessible. Through evidence-based content, provider collaboration, and a passion for empowering patients, her mission is to break down barriers to healthcare by delivering clear, compassionate, and practical medical guidance.
Why You Feel Guilty Saying No Even When You Need To
You know you don't have the time.
You're already exhausted.
You don't really want to do it.
And yet, the moment you say “no,” you feel guilty.
That guilt doesn't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision.
For many people, saying no feels uncomfortable because they have learned to associate being helpful, available, or agreeable with being a good friend, partner, parent, coworker, or family member.
Over time, protecting your own time can start to feel selfish—even when what you're actually doing is setting a reasonable boundary.
A boundary can disappoint someone and still be healthy.
Understanding that difference can make saying no a little easier.
You don't want to disappoint someone.
You're worried about appearing selfish or difficult.
You're used to being the person everyone depends on.
You want to avoid conflict.
You feel responsible for other people's emotions.
You've learned to prioritize other people's needs.
You worry that saying no could affect a relationship.
Sep 01, 2026 | 4:14 PM
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Why Bruises Become More Common As You Age
You bump your arm against the counter.
The next morning, there's a purple bruise—and you barely remember hitting anything.
Or maybe you've started noticing bruises on your hands and forearms without remembering an injury at all.
Bruising more easily can be a normal part of aging.
As we get older, skin becomes thinner and loses some of the fatty layer that helps cushion the small blood vessels underneath it. Those vessels can also become more fragile.
That means an everyday bump that wouldn't have left a mark years ago may now cause blood to leak underneath the skin and create a noticeable bruise.
Medications, sun damage, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medical conditions can make bruising even more noticeable.
Most age-related bruising isn't dangerous.
But there's an important difference between “I bruise more easily than I used to” and “I'm suddenly covered in unexplained bruises.”
Thinner skin
Loss of protective fat beneath the skin
More fragile blood vessels
Years of sun exposure
Aspirin and other antiplatelet medications
Blood-thinning medications
Corticosteroids
Certain supplements
Nutritional deficiencies
Liver, blood, or clotting disorders
Sep 01, 2026 | 4:01 PM
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Frequent Urination Without a UTI
You're running to the bathroom all day.
You feel like you just went—and somehow you already need to go again.
Naturally, you think:
“I must have a UTI.”
But then your urine test comes back negative.
So what's going on?
A urinary tract infection is only one possible cause of frequent urination in women.
Overactive bladder, pelvic floor dysfunction, menopause, pregnancy, diabetes, medications, bladder irritants, constipation, and other urinary or gynecologic conditions can all change how frequently you need to urinate.
The pattern of your symptoms can provide important clues.
Overactive bladder
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Perimenopause or menopause
Pregnancy
Diabetes or high blood sugar
Certain medications
Caffeine or alcohol
Excessive fluid intake
Constipation
Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis
Pelvic organ prolapse
Other urinary or gynecologic conditions
Sep 01, 2026 | 3:48 PM
Read More
Why You Feel Guilty Saying No Even When You Need To
You know you don't have the time.
You're already exhausted.
You don't really want to do it.
And yet, the moment you say “no,” you feel guilty.
That guilt doesn't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision.
For many people, saying no feels uncomfortable because they have learned to associate being helpful, available, or agreeable with being a good friend, partner, parent, coworker, or family member.
Over time, protecting your own time can start to feel selfish—even when what you're actually doing is setting a reasonable boundary.
A boundary can disappoint someone and still be healthy.
Understanding that difference can make saying no a little easier.
You don't want to disappoint someone.
You're worried about appearing selfish or difficult.
You're used to being the person everyone depends on.
You want to avoid conflict.
You feel responsible for other people's emotions.
You've learned to prioritize other people's needs.
You worry that saying no could affect a relationship.
Sep 01, 2026 | 4:14 PM
Why Bruises Become More Common As You Age
You bump your arm against the counter.
The next morning, there's a purple bruise—and you barely remember hitting anything.
Or maybe you've started noticing bruises on your hands and forearms without remembering an injury at all.
Bruising more easily can be a normal part of aging.
As we get older, skin becomes thinner and loses some of the fatty layer that helps cushion the small blood vessels underneath it. Those vessels can also become more fragile.
That means an everyday bump that wouldn't have left a mark years ago may now cause blood to leak underneath the skin and create a noticeable bruise.
Medications, sun damage, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medical conditions can make bruising even more noticeable.
Most age-related bruising isn't dangerous.
But there's an important difference between “I bruise more easily than I used to” and “I'm suddenly covered in unexplained bruises.”
Thinner skin
Loss of protective fat beneath the skin
More fragile blood vessels
Years of sun exposure
Aspirin and other antiplatelet medications
Blood-thinning medications
Corticosteroids
Certain supplements
Nutritional deficiencies
Liver, blood, or clotting disorders
Sep 01, 2026 | 4:01 PM
Frequent Urination Without a UTI
You're running to the bathroom all day.
You feel like you just went—and somehow you already need to go again.
Naturally, you think:
“I must have a UTI.”
But then your urine test comes back negative.
So what's going on?
A urinary tract infection is only one possible cause of frequent urination in women.
Overactive bladder, pelvic floor dysfunction, menopause, pregnancy, diabetes, medications, bladder irritants, constipation, and other urinary or gynecologic conditions can all change how frequently you need to urinate.
The pattern of your symptoms can provide important clues.
Overactive bladder
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Perimenopause or menopause
Pregnancy
Diabetes or high blood sugar
Certain medications
Caffeine or alcohol
Excessive fluid intake
Constipation
Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis
Pelvic organ prolapse
Other urinary or gynecologic conditions
Sep 01, 2026 | 3:48 PM
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