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The National Family Partnership (NFP) recently unveiled its 2023 Red Ribbon Week 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, KY, this year’s theme is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live drug-free.
Each year, the National Family Partnership sponsors the Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest.
The theme contest invites millions of Americans across the country to submit a unique slogan that captures the essence and mission of the campaign. Helm’s theme was chosen because it encourages us to do our individual parts to keep our communities safe, healthy and drug free. All segments of the community, healthcare workers, police officers, educators, school bus drivers, parents… people just like you and me, are examples of what we can achieve through self-dedication, care, and commitment. The theme encourages everyone to use their voice to make a difference no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they do. The possibilities are endless when we work together.
“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,” Helm said. “‘Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free’ is about making positive choices to be happy and healthy — that is being kind to our mind.”
NFP organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. After his murder, parents, and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America.
“The theme contest is just one-way NFP brings awareness to the community,” said Peggy B. Sapp, NFP president. “Each year we strive to engage the public by inviting them to share what living Drug-Free means to them. This year we are inviting them to show us what Drug-Free looks like by sharing different photos of themselves as representatives of the community.”
Theme submissions are accepted each year from Jan. 1 through Dec. 4 and winners of the contest receive $500 in Ribbon Week themed merchandise courtesy of Nimco Inc. Nimco is the only place families, children, and schools can purchase Red Ribbon Merchandise Theme material to support ongoing drug education in the schools.
Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from Oct. 23 to 31. To join and become involved, learn more about the contest and the campaign by visiting www.RedRibbon.org.
Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is a broad-based, grass roots volunteer/parent organization that is affiliated with the National Family Partnership. Informed Families is an education, training and support center for parents, schools, and communities to help raise safe, healthy, and drug-free children. It teaches people how to say no to drugs and how to make healthy choices.
To reduce the demand for drugs, Informed Families has focused its efforts on educating and mobilizing the community, parents, and young people to change attitudes. In this way it counteracts the pressures in society that condone and promote drug and alcohol use and abuse. The organization educates thousands of families annually about how to stay drug and alcohol free through networking and a variety of programs and services. Informed Families offers children’s substance abuse prevention activities in various locations throughout the State of Florida. Visit informedfamilies.org to learn more.
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