Narconon Drug Education Supports Red Ribbon Week

Every year, one week in October is dedicated to delivering a strong drug prevention message nationwide. In schools, clubs, civic groups, street fairs and other locations, youth and adults learn the story of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who lost his life fighting drug traffickers. The best memorial that could ever be offered to this individual is to use this week to tell American youth that staying clean and sober is the best way to achieve success in their lives.

Red Ribbon Week Each October

Each year, more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week events. These range from teachers who cover the subject in their schools, law enforcement officers who make presentations in their communities, and Narconon drug education specialists who visit schools, drugs and community groups all week long. In some cities, there are 5K races and parades. Many schools establish an entire week of events to deliver the drug-free message loud and clear.

Narconon Keeps at Drug Prevention Throughout the Year

Narconon organizations have a bigger purpose than just helping the addicted recover. In fact, the overall purpose of Narconon is to eliminate addiction. This means that Narconon staff must also prevent young people from ever starting to abuse drugs or alcohol.

Starting with the very first Narconon activities in the late 1960s, the mission of this organization has included providing drug education to schools and youth groups. William Benitez, the founder of Narconon, was delivering drug education classes in Arizona in 1968. You can hear an excerpt from one of those early lectures here.

Nearly every one of the Narconon centers in the US sends a trained staff member into the community to present the Narconon drug prevention curriculum in schools and youth clubs. There are also many stand alone drug prevention organizations around the world.

All year round, classrooms are visited by these staff who use the Narconon drug prevention curriculum that has proven to be so effective in changing young minds. When Red Ribbon week rolls around, the numbers jump up dramatically. In Southern California, the Narconon rehab center staff presented these classes to more than 6,500 youth in one week. In Oklahoma, one presenter reached more than 1,000 children that week, all by himself, traveling to a different city each day.

Statements from Youth Show that this Curriculum Works

After drug education classes, each student is asked to fill out a survey giving the presenter their feedback. They don’t put their names on the surveys so they can give an honest opinion that they might otherwise be shy about. These surveys show that they get an important message from these classes and that message is to avoid the use of drugs and alcohol.

One student said: “The talk was very helpful to me because I have been feeling down and wanting to find a way to feel better lately and 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.”

Another one said: “It showed me a lot that I didn’t know about drugs. It changed my views on weed. I used to smoke pot and I’ve been wanting to do it again and now I don’t.”

A seventh-grader responded: “I thought it was very detailed, the way you told us why drugs are bad and how they affect our bodies. I never knew much about drugs till now. The talk changed my thoughts. I never knew there were this many drugs.”

When youth can be prevented from starting to abuse drugs or alcohol, then they will never need rehab. Each one of them may also help other youth choose sober activities as the lessons ripple out through the school and the community. This is how you build a drug-free, productive America. One classroom, one drug prevention lesson at a time.

Narconon Drug Education for Red Ribbon Week

Narconon presenters are available in several locations throughout the country to provide live presentations to students at schools and youth groups. If there is not a Narconon center near your school or group you can also purchase our audio visual version of the curriculum which you can learn more about.