It’s that time again!Spread the news! Get involved! Let’s do this!Join DREAM and the Mississippi

Department of Mental Health, Bureau of

Alcohol and Drug Services as we remind

others of the importance of living a

drug-free and healthy life.

2012

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Red Ribbon Week

is held every October and is one of the

oldest and largest drug prevention

campaigns in the country. It

provides a time to pledge to live a

safe and drug-free life, celebrate

those who do not use drugs,

remember those whom we

have lost in the fight against

drugs, and honor those who

work to promote living a life

free from drug use and addiction.

Red Ribbon Week allows individuals and

communities to take a stand against drug use

through a commitment to drug prevention and

education and a personal commitment to live

life drug-free.

National Red Ribbon Week is celebrated

every year in October and is dedicated to

Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Camarena was a

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

agent who sacrificed his life to prevent drugs

from entering our country. This week is also

dedicated to all people killed as a result of

drug-related violence. Millions get involved in

the Red Ribbon Campaign’s efforts. No other

single drug prevention

movement has had such an

impact on so many lives.

Red Ribbon Week is a special time to focus

on drug prevention. The week is not

the only time when individuals,

schools, businesses, organizations

and communities should focus on

prevention. It is intended to assess and

increase current efforts. The observance

of Red Ribbon Week focuses on educating

individuals, families, and communities on not

only the destructive effects of drugs, but also

positive alternative life choices available to our

youth and adults. The red ribbon, a symbol of

zero tolerance for drug use and a commitment

to drug prevention, is worn by hundreds of

Americans as an act of unity.

DRUGDRUGDRUGthe best

me is

October 20-28 2012

Have a GREAT Red Ribbon Week!!

I’m only one person, but I want to make a

difference.

The Story

Behind the SymbolEnrique “Kiki” Camarena grew up in a house with dirt floors. He had dreams of making a difference.

Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), his mother tried to talk him

out of it. “I can’t not do this,” he told his mom. “I’m only one person, but I want to make a difference.”

The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel. It was believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police, and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men

appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him into a car. One month later, Camarena’s body was found in a shallow grave- he had been tortured to death.

Within weeks of his death, Camarena’s Congressman, Duncan Hunter, and high school

friend Henry Lozano launched Camarena Clubs in Camarena’s hometown of Imperial Valley, California. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others for the protection of

all Americans. These coalitions started wearing red badges of satin red ribbons in memory of Camarena. The Red Ribbon Week campaign emerged from the efforts of these clubs and coalitions. It helps to preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life.

-excerpted from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, www.dea.gov

EXPLAINING THE MESSAGE BEHIND THE RIBBONOkay, so we all put on our ribbons during Red Ribbon Week, but what does that ribbon mean?

The red ribbon is a pledge, or a promise. When we wear the ribbon, we are promising that we will stay away from drugs. Not only today, but tomorrow, and every day after.

WHAT TO WEAR RED RIBBON WEEK:Have fun dressing up and showing support for Red Ribbon Week!

Monday: Living Healthy and Drug-Free is No SWEAT! Get out your favorite sweatshirt and/or sweatpants.

Tuesday: Sock it to DrugsPut on your wackiest and wildest socks.

Wednesday: Drugs and I Don’t MixWear mismatched clothing.

Thursday: I’m Proud to be Drug-FreeSee how much red you can wear!

Friday: Stay in the Game & Stay Away From DrugsEveryone can wear their favorite sports jersey.

Don’t forget to take lots of pictures and share them on Facebook and Twitter!

A message to share with Parents...It’s not pestering. It’s parenting.Know what your children are doing. Be involved.Set limits. Raise and reward good behavior.Ask questions. Ask who. Ask what. Ask when. Ask where.Keep lines of communication open.First, YOU LISTEN. Then you talk.Take the time!

IDEAS FOR RED RIBBON WEEK ACTIVITIESCREATE A CHARACTERReproduce the figure below on a sheet of paper. Provide markers or colored pencils to students. At the center of the figure, students may write their name. Using words, symbols, or magazine cut-outs, have students create a picture of their best selves.

HAND IN HAND BANNERUsing a roll of white paper, such as butcher paper or bulletin board paper, cut off a banner sized piece. Using large block letters, write on the banner “Hand in Hand Let’s Take a Stand Against Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs.” Place the banner on a wall in a prominent location.

Using red paper, have students trace around their hand and then cut them out. Then have students glue or tape their hand to the banner.

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR NO?Have students write essays about how they live their NO! and what their passion is (sports, music, reading, etc.) that keeps them healthy. *Submit a few essays to DREAM, Inc. at training@dreaminc.org for a chance to be featured on the DREAM Web site.

GETTING REAL: MESSAGE IN THE MEDIA EXERCISEBring tobacco and alcohol advertisements to school for a classroom collage, discuss the messages behind the ads, and identify the advertising approaches being used. Explain why the message is untrue. Display the collages in the school hallway.

ribbontimesIdentify popular music/musicians that encourage/discourage ATOD use through their music, behavior, or attitudes.

SHOW AND TELLHave students bring in an item for show and tell that illustrates their passion. During show and tell, have them explain why they choose their passion over drugs.

THAT’S MY ANTI-DRUG!Have group sit in a circle in chairs or on the floor. Let the group know that you will be calling out various pastimes, hobbies, and interests such as fishing, sewing, cooking, playing soccer, etc. in the format of “Who likes…?” Each time a question is asked, if the activity is of interest to that person, that person jumps up and says, “That’s me!” Continue until the entire group is standing. Once everyone is standing have them look around the room and acknowledge that everyone can stand up and be counted as having an interest or anti-drug that matters in their lives. Have everyone return to their seats and lead a discussion about how these activities can be considered anti-drugs and what the benefits of these activities are in their lives.

TRIVIA BOWLDivide students into two groups. Using NIDA’s Shatter the Myths Booklet (http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/booklet.php) and NIDA’s Teen Web site (http://teens.drugabuse.gov) write down questions and answers on index cards. Have someone keep score. Each correct answer gains one point. The team with the most correct answers, and hence the highest score, wins a prize. (Make sure to have prizes available!)

DRUG-FREE PLEDGEI Pledge

To lead a healthy, drug-freelifestyle.

I will say NO to tobacco,alcohol and other drugs.I will help my friends say

NO.I pledge to stand up for what

I know is right.I pledge to have respect for

others.I pledge to be the best me.

Signature: Date:

Coordinated by DREAM, Inc. Funded in whole or part by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services.

Find us on Facebook. Check out our wall each day during Red Ribbon Week for a chance to win prizes!

310 Airport Road • Jackson, MS 39208

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDJackson, MS

Permit No. 282

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION RESOURCESMississippi Department of Mental Health,

Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Serviceshttp://www.dmh.state.ms.us

DREAM, Inc. http://www.dreaminc.org

Mississippi Prevention Networkhttp://www.mpn.ms

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationhttp://www.samhsa.gov

National Institute on Drug Abusehttp://www.nida.nih.gov

NIDA’s Teen Sitehttp://teens.drugabuse.gov

The Anti-Drughttp://www.theantidrug.com

RED RIBBON WEEK RESOURCESIf you would like to order Red Ribbon Week materials and supplies, visit these retailers:

NIMCOhttp://www.drugpreventionresources.com

Positive Promotionshttp://www.positivepromotions.com

Red Ribbon Resourceshttp://www.redribbonresources.com

DREAM is neither responsible for the contents of these Web sites nor does it endorse any product or service provided by

any other organization or Web site listed.

DREAM, Inc.310 Airport Road • Jackson, MS 39208

(601) 933-9199

Mississippi Department of Mental HealthBureau of Alcohol and Drug Services

1101 Robert E. Lee Building239 N. Lamar Street • Jackson, MS 39201

1-877-210-8513

1. Wear a red ribbon or sticker.2. Get your community, school, or church

involved in Red Ribbon Week.3. Volunteer to help with activities or plan

activities for your club, school, or youth group.

4. Get involved in Red Ribbon Week events in your school or community.

5. Talk to someone special about Red Ribbon Week.

6. Use this week as a “teachable moment” and talk to someone about making healthy decisions and resisting peer pressure.

7. Decorate your front door with red ribbons.

8. Give prizes to students wearing red ribbons each day.

9. Sign pledges to be drug-free. 10. Host a special “drug awareness

evening” for the community or school.11. Host a Red Ribbon program with

student performances such as skits and songs.

12. Decorate the classroom or the entire school.

13. Offer discounted admission to home ball games or events to anyone wearing red or a red ribbon.

14. Have a red ribbon decorating contest.15. Sponsor a Red Ribbon Week event or

help purchase red ribbons for a local school.

16. Offer advertising for drug-free messages.

17. Have football team members “Team Up Against Drugs” by wearing ribbons on their jerseys or helmets during games.

18. Provide staff development or a staff lunch and invite someone to speak on drug prevention in the workplace.

19. Ask local businesses to provide incentives or discounts to customers who wear red ribbons.

20. Focus lesson plans around making healthy decisions and living a healthy life.

21. Pray for those affected by drug use and violence.

22. Plan a service project or activity related to drug prevention.

23. Hold a candlelight vigil for victims of drunk driving and drug-related crimes.

24. Post drug prevention messages on your Facebook page.

25. Encourage someone who uses tobacco to quit.

25 WAYS TO CELEBRATE Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Times 2012 • Editor: Rachel Deer • Design: Jenny Winstead