The Red Ribbon Campaign, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, annually reaches millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week, celebrated from October 23-31 each year.
The 2026 Red Ribbon Week® theme, “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.™”, created by Ava Tackett, a student at Griswold Middle School in Griswold, Connecticut, with guidance from Health Teacher Kristen Butremavic. The theme highlights that choosing to live drug-free is an act of leadership and courage and that everyday decisions can positively influence peers, families, and communities.
Organized by the National Family Partnership, the Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign originated in response to the tragic murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Camarena was tortured and killed in Mexico, sparking a nationwide movement where parents and youth began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs in America.
The Red Ribbon Campaign remains a powerful way for individuals and communities to unite and visibly demonstrate their stance against drugs. Its mission is to foster a unified commitment towards achieving a drug-free America.
