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National Red Ribbon Week, the National Red Ribbon Campaign advocating for a nation of drug-free youth begins today, October 23rd and lasts through October 31st. Each year, parents, educators, families, local coalitions, PTO groups, and community organizations across America provide drug prevention activities in their communities to raise awareness and educate our nation’s youth on the importance of a drug-free lifestyle.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4568″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http://bit.ly/2wJJg95″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As previously reported in Socially Sparked News, the Opioid addiction crisis is at epidemic proportions. While our nation is struggling to come to terms with the best way to combat this infestation, many citizens have been stepping up to the plate, like the rock and roll legends of last summer’s Hope Music Festival. On November 1st, President Trump’s Commission on the Opioid crisis will return with their findings and recommended solutions. It is expected that the President will declare the Opioid Epidemic a national state of emergency.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4782″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Teaching our youth at an early age to ‘just say no’ to drugs was the motto from first lady Nancy Reagan’s reign. That motto rings louder than ever today.

“Your Future is Key, Stay Drug-Free™” is this year’s theme of Red Ribbon Week.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]National Family Partnership (NFP) sponsors the National Red Ribbon Week® Celebration. The Campaign is the largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week. NFP helps citizens
across the country come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free, through parent training, networking and sponsoring the Annual Week Campaign.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]To join the grassroots movement in your community, check out what other organizations are doing here: www.redribbon.org/resources

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Other ways to get involved in the fight against drugs:
To help combat Prescription Drug Abuse in your Community, The National Family Partnership and the Lock Your Meds Campaign helps combat prescription drug abuse and brings awareness to the families in your state.

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Back Story on The Red Ribbon Campaign”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Since its beginning in 1985, the National Red Ribbon Campaign has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. That’s when –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 death and destruction caused by drugs in America. In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4783″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]During this week, The Red Ribbon Week Campaign wishes you to share your support with your friends and followers! Together, we can send a clear message across America. To participate: Tweet or post on Facebook with any or all of the suggested language on their website; or spread the word about Red Ribbon Week: They also encourage you to take a photo of your favorite drug-free activities and post on Instagram with #redribbonweek and #yolobedrugfree.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Abbe is Socially Sparked™. Tweet @sosparkednews & @asparks01

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