National Family Partnership (NFP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by a small group of concerned parents. They were determined to play a leadership role in drug prevention. Nancy Reagan was an honorary Chair of NFP. Since its founding over thirty years ago, NFP has always been working towards the well-being of today’s youth. The NFP is a national leader in both drug prevention education and advocacy. “Our mission is to lead and support our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug free youth.” One campaign that the NFP is well known for is the Red Ribbon Campaign. In fact, this year’s Red Ribbon Week is the last full week in October.
About the Red Ribbon Campaign
The NFP organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign to provide drug awareness. Since its beginning, the Red Ribbon campaign has reached millions of people around the world. It started when a DEA agent, Enrique Camarena, was kidnapped and tortured to death in Mexico. Camarena was quoted telling his mother, “I’m only one person, but I want to make a difference.” The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico to investigate a major drug cartel. In 1985, Camarena was found in a shallow grave having been tortured to death by members of the cartel. In response, people around the country wore red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the negative effects caused by drugs in America. In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Several coalitions were formed in Camarena’s honor and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference.
About Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week itself is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It is always during the last full week in October. Red Ribbon Week serves as a method and opportunity for communities and individuals to take a stand against drug abuse and educate others on its destruction. In addition, Imdrugfree.com reports that Red Ribbon Week commemorates the sacrifice made by Camarena in his effort to create a drug free world.
Narconon’s Involvement in Red Ribbon Week
Each year, more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week events. These are people from teachers to law enforcement officers. Events during Red Ribbon Week vary from 5K races and parades to drug education classes. One group that is particularly involved in the events is the Narconon drug education staff. Every year, the Narconon drug prevention specialists participate to educate children on the harms of drug usage. Almost every Narconon center in the United States sends a staff member to present on Narconon drug prevention.
While Narconon has several drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, the organization is much more than that. Their main purpose is eliminating addiction. When youth can be educated and prevented from starting to use and abuse drugs or alcohol, they will never need rehab. A student’s response on a survey said, “The tail was very helpful to me because I have been feeling down and wanting to find a way to feel better lately. Now I know that drugs won’t be the way. I thought it would be an escape, but I realize now it will only take you downhill. I will not do drugs because I learned what it could do to you.” Each student who gets educated like this has the potential to create a ripple effect throughout his community with his friends and classmates.
How You Can Get Involved
The work that gets done during Red Ribbon Week as well as by both Narconon and the NFP are well worth doing. If you wish to learn more or contribute, here are a few resources for you:
If you wish to learn more about the Red Ribbon Campaign: redribbon.org/about/
If you wish to donate to the Red Ribbon Campaign: redribbon.org/donate/
For information about Narconon or to schedule a drug education presentation: narconon.org/.