Red Ribbon Week 2023 | Alcohol & Drug Education for Parents of OC Teens (2024)

What is Red Ribbon Week?

Red Ribbon Week is an annual nationwide campaign educating young people about the risks of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This is a week designated to make children and teens aware of the damage alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can cause to them and how it can impact their future. Red Ribbon Week is often filled with activities, and each year, a theme is chosen that parents, teachers, and youth can revolve their conversation around.

What is the theme of Red Ribbon Week for 2023?

This year Red Ribbon Week is from October 23 to October 31. The theme for Red Ribbon Week is: “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.™”

It was submitted by Danielle Helm, a Youth Service Coordinator from Russell County Middle School in Russell Springs, Kentucky. After her theme was selected, Helm explained why she submitted it for contention:

“I chose this theme because drugs alter our current brain development and hinders further growth. Drugs decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the reward system of our brain, such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. This can block our brain from naturally experiencing happiness. ‘Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free’ is about making positive choices to be happy and healthy that is being kind to your mind.”

It’s a message we’ve echoed often here, both on our blog and throughout the site: alcohol and other drugs have a universally negative effect on the teenage brain, which is still developing and will continue to develop until their mid-to-late 20s. So yes, while your teen may be smart and capable of making their own decisions, they still haven’t reached their full potential. [1]

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How do alcohol and drugs affect my teen’s brain?

There are several negative effects alcohol and other drugs have on the teen brain:

  • Increased risk-taking: Since their brains are maturing during their teen years, this vulnerable time means there’s a greater chance they’ll take risks without thinking through the consequences. This includes using alcohol and other drugs. [2]
  • Higher chance of addiction: The developmental period during adolescence also means teens have a much greater chance of becoming dependent on a substance if they start using it. This dependence can develop into a full addiction.
  • Brain chemistry imbalance: Alcohol and other drugs increase dopamine to the brain, which is an essential brain chemical for survival instincts like sleeping, eating and socializing. When they flood the brain with dopamine, they drive teens to ignore the other survival instincts in favor of the substance they’re using. [3] This dependency can severely impact your teen’s future.

How do alcohol and other drugs affect my teen’s life?

Substance use prevents your teen from being their absolute best self and living their best life. Teens who abuse substances may begin to experience numerous issues:

  • Academic: Substances can make it difficult for your teen to focus while studying, or make them want to ignore school altogether. The cognitive and behavioral effects of alcohol and other drugs can hamper their academic performance, which can lead to their grades dropping, absences from school and even dropping out entirely in severe instances.
  • Health: Substance use negatively affects both physical and mental health. While overdoses are the severe end of the spectrum, the chances of physical injury from catastrophes like car accidents and other accidents caused by impairment increase, as do disabilities and diseases. Teens who use alcohol and other drugs are also more susceptible to mental health issues like behavioral changes, depression and suicidal thoughts than teens who don’t.
  • Social: Because of the stigma around alcohol and drug abuse, teens who use alcohol and other drugs can be ostracized from their friends and classmates. Adolescence is an essential time for forming bonds that can last a lifetime; the social disengagement and isolation substance use causes can have lifelong effects on those important relationships. Drugs with specific cultures and social groups built around them like marijuana can also lead to teens becoming involved more deeply with drugs as they fall into social circles centered around using those substances.
  • Legal: While alcohol is legal to consume nationwide and marijuana is becoming legal in many states, the legal age to use these substances is 21 no matter where you are in the U.S., making them both illegal for teens to possess them. That’s not to mention more extreme drugs which are illegal to use and possess for people of any age in nearly all states. Aside from the legal implications of a teen possessing alcohol and other drugs, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention says, “There is strong evidence of an association between alcohol and other drug use and delinquent behavior of juveniles. Substance abuse is associated with both violent and income-generating crimes by youth.” [4]

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How can I get involved with my teen for Red Ribbon Week?

The official Red Ribbon Week website lists some great virtual activities to do with your teen this Red Ribbon Week, including:

  • Become a Red Ribbon Week Ambassador: This allows you to receive Red Ribbon Week merchandise and gives you a chance to be featured on social media. Join here.
  • The #LiveDrugFree Social Media Challenge: Let your teen show the world how they live drug free. Have them take a picture holding the Red Ribbon Theme Sign and post to Instagram or Facebook with the hashtags: #BeKindToYourMindLiveDrugFree and #RedRibbonWeek from 10/23 through 10/31. They could even win an Amazon gift card!
  • Host a virtual drug awareness presentation: Contact your local police or health department or prevention center and ask if they can host an online talk about staying drug free.

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The dangers of prescription drugs

You might think prescription drugs aren’t as much of a threat to your teen as substances like alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. After all, they’ve been prescribed by a doctor and come with warnings right on the label, right?

This is wrong for a few reasons. First because prescription drugs — whether prescribed to your teen or another member of your household — are readily available in your home, or could be something their friends can easily get hold of. Second, prescription drugs can have varying effects on people and can be powerful enough to rewire your teen’s brain for addiction to those drugs and other substances.

How do I keep my teen from abusing prescription drugs?

There are a few ways to prevent prescription drug abuse with your children:

  • Set a good example: Kids look to you for guidance. As much attitude as they might give you, your teen still sees you as their primary role model. If they see you misusing drugs you were prescribed, they could view that as acceptable behavior and could start taking your prescriptions.
  • Track the amount of your prescriptions and keep them secure: Eliminate any temptation by storing your medicine in a locked place. Counting your remaining pills will allow you to know if any are missing.
  • Talk to them: All steps toward raising a healthy teen starts with open and honest conversation. Sit down and have a frank discussion about prescription drugs: Why they’re prescribed, why it’s important to only use them as prescribed by a doctor and why it’s so dangerous to exceed the prescribed dose.
Red Ribbon Week 2023 | Alcohol & Drug Education for Parents of OC Teens (2024)

FAQs

What is the theme for 2023 Red Ribbon Week? ›

January 30th, 2023 – Miami, FL– Today the National Family Partnership (NFP) unveiled its 2023 Red Ribbon Week Theme, "Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.™".

What is Red Ribbon Week explanation for parents? ›

Use Red Ribbon Week as an opportunity to continue talking to your kids about drugs. Let them know that alcohol and drug use will not be tolerated. Work with the PTSA To Plan a School-Wide Red Ribbon Rally.

What is the theme for drug free 2023? ›

The UNODC has chosen 'People First: Ending Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthening Prevention' as the theme for World Drug Day 2023 because of the global complexity of drug-related issues, which affect millions of people.

What is the theme for Say No to drugs 2023? ›

23-31 • WWW.REDRIBBON.ORG Page 2 Page 3 We're excited to announce the 2023 Red Ribbon Campaign Theme, “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.™” Submitted by Danielle Helm, a Youth Service Coordinator from Russell County Middle School in Russell Springs, Kentucky.

What is the main message of Red Ribbon Week? ›

Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life.

What does a red ribbon stand for? ›

The red ribbon is a symbol for Multiple Sclerosis, drunk driving prevention, drug prevention and for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Red Ribbon Foundation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Society are examples of organizations that utilize the red ribbon symbol.

What does the red ribbon mean for drugs? ›

In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America. In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration.

What is Red Ribbon Week mission statement? ›

Its mission is to lead our nation's families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Red Ribbon Week is the nation's largest and oldest drug prevention campaign. NFP created the campaign in response to the 1985 abduction and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

What is the Red Ribbon Week drug pledge? ›

PARENT PLEDGE

We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.

What is the slogan for drugs in 2023? ›

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023 theme: People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.

What is the theme of drug abuse Prevention and Control Week 2023? ›

This year's celebration adopted the 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking theme, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.

What day is National Drug Day? ›

World Drug Day - 26 June.

What is the theme for Red Ribbon Week 23? ›

January 30th, 2023 – Miami, FL– Today the National Family Partnership (NFP) unveiled its 2023 Red Ribbon Week Theme, "Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.™".

What is the theme for Red Ribbon Week 2024? ›

January 31st, 2024 – Miami, FL– Today, the National Family Partnership (NFP) proudly revealed the theme for the 2024 Red Ribbon Week: "Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free.™" This creative theme was submitted by Cheryl Holsapfel, Digital Art Teacher, and Devansh Aggarwal from Solon Middle School.

What is the slogan for say yes to life no to drugs? ›

“Say No to Drugs: Say Yes to Life.”: Encourages choosing life over drug use. “Drug Abuse is a Shortcut to Nowhere.”: Warns against the futility of drug abuse. “Don't Let Drugs Steal Your Dreams.”: Highlights how drugs can hinder one's aspirations.

What is the theme of red Cross Day 2023? ›

Keeping Humanity Alive around the world

Dr. Chaw Khin talks with people impacted by Cyclone Mocha in 2023 during a cash distribution aimed at helping them get back on their feet after the storm. Even in the darkest of times, the signs of humanity shine brightly.

What is the theme of the Purple Day 2023? ›

The theme for purple epilepsy day 2023 is “stigma”, which is aimed at raising awareness about changing the perception of society on epilepsy through facts and clearing misunderstandings.

What is the theme for Drug Prevention Month 2023? ›

This year's celebration adopted the 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking theme, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.

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