“It’s up to me to be drug free” is the new slogan for this year’s Red Ribbon Week, October 23 – 31, 2011. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest drug prevention program reaching out to students K-12 in schools across the US.

The National Family Partnership (NFP) is running a contest where students who enter can will an iPad2 for themselves and $1,000 for their schools if they win. According to the press release, “Students (K-12) can enter by decorating their homes together with their parents – mailboxes, front doors or fences. Parents (18 or older) can upload photos to www.redribbon.org/enter or www.facebook.com/RedRibbonWeek , and then friends and family can vote for their entry, November 1-15. (In Florida, the contest links are www.informedfamilies.org/contest and www.facebook.com/informedfamilies .) The entries with most votes will win.”

SAMHSA or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (which we recommend on our resources page for those seeking help) is co-sponsoring the event this year. So, if you’re already wearing a pink ribbon for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, then put a red ribbon right beside it for Red Ribbon Week. Or just wear the red ribbon to show your support for this cause.

Last year I had talked about Red Ribbon Week 2010 as well, so check it out to see how it compares to this year’s event.