Press Release
Mary Pitcher, Business Development Director
Nassau Alcohol Crime Drug Abatement Coalition
October 13, 2016 10:00 a.m.
The “Red Ribbon” campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during “Red Ribbon Week”, October 23 through October 31, each year.
It is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. The “Red Ribbon” campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the “Red Ribbon” campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America.
Nassau Alcohol Crime Drug Abatement Coalition (NACDAC) wants to help citizens across the County come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free, through parent training, networking and sponsoring of the National Red Ribbon Campaign programs. The 2016 National theme is YOLO-Be Drug Free (You Only Live Once).
In support of this effort, NACDAC has prevention specialists in all of the Nassau County middle and high schools. According to “redribbon.org”, for every $1 invested in effective school-based prevention, $18 is saved in actual treatment costs. Children under the age of 21 who die each year from underage drinking-related causes totals approximately 4,300 nationwide. The three most widely used drugs by youth and adults is alcohol, prescription drugs and marijuana. That is why NACDAC feels it is so important to reach out to Nassau County youth with prevention activities.
Red Ribbon is designed to get people talking with other people and working on activities that will build a sense of community and common purpose. It is also designed to help parents and schools deliver an effective drug prevention curriculum and to create a CRITICIAL MASS which is necessary to reduce destructive social norms/behaviors and promote positive social norms/behaviors.
NACDAC, as a proud sponsor of the National Red Ribbon Campaign, is inviting students in Nassau County Schools and their parents to engage in activities that promote a drug free and healthy lifestyle. Some of the activities that NACDAC is promoting in Nassau County Schools on behalf of Red Ribbon week include an essay contest, a poster contest (displaying their idea of a Natural-High or drug-free lifestyle), “Sock It To Drugs” wear your crazy socks day, “Red Out Day” where students wear red to show they are drug free, and a contest to dress as “twinsies” to show support for each other that “Friends Don’t Let Friends Do Drugs”.
For more information regarding NACDAC and its programs, please visit www.NACDAC.org.