Red Ribbon week is a full week dedicated to the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle. Every year, it is celebrated from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31, and offers opportunities for educators, parents, and communities to support the message to live drug free, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

 “We prepared daily announcements to be read during Red Ribbon week, [as well as] fact sheets on teen drug statistics to send out to parents and staff,” freshman counselor Anne Strickland said. “Additionally, we decorate the school and outside grounds with banners and bows in support of our celebration and to spread the drug free message.”  

This year, Red Ribbon week was prepared by the Division of Counseling and Student support services, specifically by the freshman counselors: Anne Strickland, Nicole Ziroli, D. Figueroa, and Katy Kozlowski along with LT social workers. Each year, the National Family Partnership (NFP) chooses a new theme for Red Ribbon Week, the freshman counseling team said. This year, the theme is “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.” 

“[The theme] was chosen because everyday, Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities,” Stickland said. “People are the best they can be by living drug free.” 

Red Ribbon week sends a positive message to lead a healthy lifestyle, the freshman counselor team said. High school students are faced with many tough decisions, from school to friends to activities and even family. They are finding themselves and figuring out what they believe in and what is important to them. There are a lot of pressures, both internal and external ones. This phase of life is a challenging one to say the least.  

Red Ribbon week helps promote them to make the right choices. Students feel more supported and connected to their school during this week each year, organizers believe. 

“Seeing their school reinforcing what they hear at home will hopefully keep them from making unhealthy choices if given the opportunity,” Strickland said. 

Throughout the school, Red Ribbon week posters decorated with the “Be kind to your mind. Live drug free” theme were visible. Faculty and staff also can wear red ribbons to support Red Ribbon Week.