Red Ribbon Week, “the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign,” is a nine-day celebration held in schools and other groups throughout the country, according to the nonprofit organization National Family Partnership.

“NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Campaign,” redribbon.org states. “Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.”

NFP is also holding a photo contest, with a “life is a movie; film drug free” theme. There are two categories for which to submit — home and school.

To submit your home front door, mailbox or fence, double loop a red ribbon around your choice of structure, take a photo with people in it and upload it to redribbon.org/contest/home. To win, your entry must receive the most votes in your region. Judges will award Most Creative Home, Best Use of Family and Community, Best Use of the Theme, Most Ambitious and Most Educational.

To submit a school photo, upload it to redribbon.org/contest/school and make sure to also use a double loop red ribbon. The above steps and requirements are also in place for a school photo. Judges will award Most Creative School, Best Use of School and Community, Best Use of the Theme, Most Ambitious and Most Educational.

You could even “win an iPad and $1,000 for your school,” the website states.

You must be at least 18 years old to enter, so this part is the parents’ and school staff’s task. Don’t forget to ask your family, friends, co-workers and other contacts to vote for your photos on the website.

The entry period is continuing through Nov. 1, and voting is open Nov. 2-16. Winners will be announced Dec. 4.

One Lehigh Valley school, Catasauqua Middle School, is honoring Red Ribbon Week Oct. 21-25, with themed days all week, such as crazy sock day Oct. 21, dress like your future successful self Oct. 23 and Boo Bash Oct. 25.

For further information, visit redribbon.org.

Stacey Koch

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press