Red Ribbon week is a campaign that is sponsored by the “National Family Partnership,” formerly known as the “National Federation of Parents” for the awareness of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse in America. It was originally started by parents and youth that began wearing red satin ribbons as a symbol, to spread awareness for the death of Enrique “KiKi” Camarena. Camarena was working for the Drug Enforcement Agency and was kidnapped on February 7, 1985, in Mexico. The 37-year old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch, five men appeared by his side and shoved him into a car. One month later, his tortured body was found.
The “NFP” organized the “Red Ribbon Campaign” in 1985 to promote awareness around the world of illegal drugs and to spread awareness for Camarena’s death. From that day forward the Red Ribbon Campaign has touched millions of lives around the world, helping families across the nation know the consequences of drug abuse and the benefits of leading a drug-free, healthy life style. This campaign is usually observed in October all around the world. To find these events you can simply go online and search your area for these wonderful opportunities to be a part of something very impactful on lives of all ages.
The Drug Addiction Epidemic in the US
Drug addiction is a huge epidemic in the United States and has been for a long time. With that said, there is hope for each and every individual that is struggling with addiction. To help spread awareness, we are doing our part, with community outreach programs. We are participating in Red Ribbon Week by reaching out to surrounding elementary and middle schools close to us, to help our youth understand the repercussions of drug and alcohol abuse. By creating these fun and interactive coloring books, we can help to start the process of young children understanding that this is a huge problem and to take an active part in the recovery process in America.
[Download our coloring page here.]
It is important to teach our youth the severity of addiction and what is caused when a person gets caught in its vicious cycle. Be proactive and teach them at a young age to deter them from the pain, heartache and confusion of a drug and alcohol dependency by living a drug-free life.
What Parents Can do About Addiction
Parents, please get involved! This campaign also teaches parents the signs of drug abuse, how to approach the situation, how to handle that matter and how it can be prevented in the future. Parents must set strict rules against the use of drugs or alcohol and stick with those guidelines! We also encourage everyone who gets involved to get others on board as well so that we can help to end this crisis In America. We understand how addiction affects each differently. It doesn’t just affect the addict; it affects everyone that’s around them, the ones that they love as well as their families. With the right type of help, each person can have a great opportunity to get clean and back on their feet again, no matter how long this has been going on in their lives.
The goal through my treatment facilities is to understand each person individually to see what the cause of the addiction stems from, as well as form and apply a plan of action to help this from happening in the future. With the right amount of time and the right track of treatment for yourself, you can get your self-confidence back and regain control of your life. We will help you apply those guidelines to your everyday life and learn how to be happy again without relying on a substance to get you through day-to-day struggles.
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