Red Ribbon Week 2019: Send a Message. Stay Drug Free.

October 23, 2019

From October 23^rd to October 31^st, we observe Red Ribbon Week.

Launched in the early 1980s, the Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching over 80 million people each year. This year’s theme is: Send a Message. Stay Drug Free. According to the Red Ribbon Campaign, the theme “encourages you to speak out in support of healthy choices and provides a reminder that by staying drug free, you are sending a message to yourself and others about how much you value yourself, your overall health, your community, and your future.”

This week, the Utah Attorney General’s Office encourages you to send the literal message. Talk to those around you, your kids, family, and friends. Prevention starts when you start talking. Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t.

The AG’s Office also encourages you to secure your medications and properly dispose of any that are unused or expired.

Check out the links below for ideas on what else you can do during Red Ribbon Week.

For Students

For Educators

For Business Leaders

For Faith Based Leaders

For Law Enforcement

For Government Representatives

For the Medical Community

For Media Leaders

Utah! Take back your unused drugs on April 27th

Friday, April 19, 2019

The Utah Attorney General’s office encourages Utahns to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Utah Take Back, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, provides the opportunity to dispose of unused prescriptions on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations statewide.

Find a take-back site near you at www.utahtakeback.org.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Additionally, eco-friendly reclamation bags donated at no cost to the state will be available for distribution from take-back locations.

The following items can be returned:

prescription medicines;
over the counter medicines;
vitamins;
pet medication;
medicated ointments and lotions;
inhalers;
liquid medicines in glass or leak-proof containers (up to 12 oz); and
medicine samples.

The following items are not returnable:

needles, lancets, or syringes;
thermometers;
aerosol cans;
empty containers;
bloody or infectious waste;
personal care products (i.e. non-medicated shampoo);
hydrogen peroxide; and
business waste.

For advice on the safe disposal of these items, contact your pharmacist, local health department, or call 1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9235).

Life is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free.

It’s Red Ribbon Week!

Launched in the early 1980s, with the help of the wonderful Nancy Reagan, the Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. This year’s theme is “Life is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free.” and the hope is to mobilize teachers, parents, and communities to help create a drug-free future.

The most important thing we can do? EDUCATE!

The Red Ribbon Campaign provides some great curriculum ideas for each grade and an online course for high school students on prescription drugs.

START HERE: here are two things you can do today!

Talk to your kids about the dangers of drugs – particularly opioids – and the importance of staying drug-free.
Secure your medication, take inventory and properly dispose of unused or expired medication.

FYI: Click the image below for a brief look at The Red Ribbon Campaign.

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