Iowa Red Ribbon Week - Raising Awareness And Support Of A Drug-free Lifestyle

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 21 Oct 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Every day and everywhere you go in Iowa, you see people who are in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse. You can't tell by looking at them, but these are people whose substance abuse created problems for them professionally or personally and they decided to do something about it. In the same way, every school in Iowa is filled with children who must make a personal decision about whether they will abuse alcohol or drugs. In both cases, these individuals are more successful in resisting the pressure to misuse substances when they are surrounded by positive support and encouragement from schools, employers, friends and communities.

National Red Ribbon Week, October 23 through 31, is a way for all Iowans to show support for those in recovery, and those making initial and possibly life-changing choices about drugs and alcohol. Established by Congress in 1988, the Red Ribbon campaign promotes the belief that one person can make a difference in the fight against drugs, and encourages a drug-free lifestyle. "More than 27,000 Iowans seek treatment each year for alcohol or drug use," said Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Behavioral Health Division Director Kathy Stone. "Red Ribbon week alone cannot solve Iowa's drug problems, but it can raise awareness and encourage participation in drug-free activities."

This year's Red Ribbon Week theme, "Ask Me, See Me, Be Me... I'm Drug Free," helps to create awareness of the drug problems facing every community; to develop parent and community teams to combat alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and to promote a drug-free lifestyle for all Iowans. Activities planned across the state include a poster contest for elementary students in Cedar Rapids, a walk/run/roll 5K in Waterloo, and a family celebration in Sioux City featuring games, a pie-eating contest and talent show.

For more information about Iowa Red Ribbon Week, visit http://www.redribboniowa.org/index.html and for information about substance abuse prevention and recovery, visit http://www.idph.state.ia.us/bh/substance_abuse.asp.

Iowa Department of Public Health