FREE SHIPPING for online orders only over $75 with coupon code FRSHP - Limited Time OnlyRed Ribbon Week: Facts, History & Activity Ideas
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug prevention awareness campaign observed each October in schools and communities across the United States to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles. But do you know the whole picture? Learning important Red Ribbon Week facts can help you better understand why we celebrate this impactful drug-free week.
Red Ribbon Week is about more than teaching children the dangers of drugs. It’s about coming together. Learn more about how you can join the campaign and hold your own drug-free week to spread Red Ribbon awareness with NIMCO, Inc. today. Read our complete list of facts about Red Ribbon Week below.
Table of Contents
Official Red Ribbon Week Theme Products
Official Theme Banner
High-visibility messaging for entrances, hallways, gyms, and events.
Pairs well with bracelets and classroom giveaways.
Official Theme Posters
Easy-to-display signage that keeps your message visible throughout the school.
Add pencils or stickers for classroom distribution.
Why Do We Celebrate Red Ribbon Week?
Individuals and groups participate in various Red Ribbon Week activities and events to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to promote drug-free lifestyles. These activities may include wearing red ribbons, organizing educational programs and events, participating in community service projects, and more.
Celebrating drug-free Red Ribbon Week and raising awareness through promotional products is an ideal way for schools, neighborhoods and communities to unite together and take a visible stand against drugs. Red Ribbon awareness is meant to demonstrate the importance of making healthy choices and smart decisions throughout life – showing children and teens everywhere that they can achieve their goals by remaining drug-free.
Red Ribbon Week Best Selling Products
Red Ribbon Week FAQs
What Year Was Red Ribbon Week Established?
The first localized events were celebrated in LaMiranda and Norwalk, California, in 1985. As a tribute to Camarena during these initial local celebrations, high school friend Henry Lozana and acting congressman Duncan Hunter created “Camarena Clubs” and started wearing red ribbons to show their opposition to drugs. In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week, with then-President and First Lady Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons for the event.
When is Red Ribbon Week This Year?
Drug-free Red Ribbon Week is celebrated each year October 23rd through 31st and is recognized by schools, communities, and organizations across the country. While Red Ribbon Month is celebrated in some communities, it is typically observed during the last week of October which holds the title of the official Red Ribbon Week.
How is the Yearly Red Ribbon Week Theme Created?
Do you know how we get our themes for Red Ribbon Week? Every year, thousands of children and teens around the nation submit their ideas in the official Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest for a chance to become contributing members of drug-free week and win some fantastic prizes! Themes for Red Ribbon Week must be submitted by December 4th. The winning submission for the 2026 Red Ribbon Week theme is: “Make A Difference. Be A Hero. Stay Drug Free”™
The new theme is incorporated into our promotional items every year to help spread Red Ribbon awareness. Check out our 2026 Red Ribbon Week promotionals to see what we were able to do with this year’s theme.
What Is the Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest?
Every year, the Red Ribbon Organization holds a photo contest to raise visibility in schools and communities around the nation. It’s another effort in our fight to help children live drug-free and express their creativity.
The contest, co-sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency and National Family Partnership, involves students, school faculty members and families decorating their homes and campuses with the year’s Red Ribbon Week theme for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. Check out the past photo contest winners for some inspiration!
What Is Red Ribbon Week For?
Red Ribbon Week is a drug prevention and awareness campaign that occurs annually in the United States. It’s estimated that nearly 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week each year, sporting Red Ribbon Week products and merchandise to show their support for the cause. But while Red Ribbon awareness remains high, many supporters don’t know the tragic backstory of how it began.
On February 7th, 1985, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered by the Mexican drug traffickers he was investigating. His tragic death opened the eyes of Americans across the country to the dangers of drugs and the scope of the international drug trade. Thus, Red Ribbon Week emerged as a reminder to communities everywhere of the dangers of drugs. The campaign has become an incredible way to keep the memory of Kiki Camarena alive – a true hero in the war against drugs.
Bring Red Ribbon Week to Your Community With NIMCO
Established in 1987, NIMCO, Inc. has been the official Red Ribbon Week merchandise supplier for nearly 20 years. We make planning your drug-free week easy with drug-free promotional items, merchandise and activities that will fit even the tightest budgets. With stylish anti-drug shirts, helpful and educational Red Ribbon Week posters and much more, you’re sure to find what you need to make an impact. Our marketing department will assist you every step of the way as you plan your very own Red Ribbon Week campaign; we even have Earth-friendly campaigns to help celebrate the event.
The new theme is incorporated into our promotional items every year to help spread Red Ribbon awareness. Check out our 2026 Red Ribbon Week promotionals to see what we were able to do with last year’s theme.
Additional Drug Prevention Products
Official Theme Products
Start with banners, posters, apparel, and official theme items.
Bracelet & Student Giveaways
Low-cost items like bracelets, pencils, and stickers for school-wide distribution.
Vaping & Drug Prevention Displays
Interactive tools like vaping displays and alcohol impairment goggles.
Additional Red Ribbon Week Resources
If you’d like to learn more about how you can bring Red Ribbon Week to your school or community, you can visit Informed Families or the National Family Partnership for more information.
Here are a few sources that provide more information about Red Ribbon Week:
- “Red Ribbon Week.” National Family Partnership, https://www.redribbon.org/.
- “Red Ribbon Week History.” Red Ribbon Week, https://redribbon.org/about.
- Camarena, Enrique S. “Enrique Camarena: DEA Special Agent.” DEA Museum & Visitors Center, https://museum.dea.gov/exhibits/online-exhibits/red-ribbon-week
- “Red Ribbon Week: A Brief History.” DrugFree.org, drugfree.org/red-ribbon-week-a-brief-history/.
Red Ribbon Week Related Articles
October 23rd marks the beginning of Red Ribbon Week, sparking numerous Red Ribbon Week ideas in educators across the country. Celebrated annually from October 23rd to 31st,
Every year from October 23rd to the 31st, families, communities and schools around the nation celebrate Red Ribbon Week for kids of all ages. It’s the country’s
Every year from October 23rd to the 31st, schools around the country observe Red Ribbon Week, the largest and longest-running annual campaign dedicated to drug prevention.