Red Ribbon Week
History
In 1985, DEA Agent Enrique Camarena was murdered. In response, 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. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in prevention activities to keep our kids drug and substance-free.
1. Family Bonding
The quality of family ties is a protective factor against delinquency for children of all age groups. Research has identified the family as a significant source of protection against drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents (Chen et al., 2010; Hawkins et al., 1992). Developing healthy family relationships can enhance the ability of parents to communicate prosocial norms to their children (Rankin and Kern, 1994), allowing parents to prevent adolescents’ antisocial behaviors, such as substance use. Positive attachment to parents is a strong protective factor against illicit drug and alcohol use among adolescents (Kostelecky, 2005; van der Vorst et al., 2006).
2. Community Connection
“It takes a village to raise a child.” Raising a child to be a fully functioning adult with confidence and clarity requires all hands on deck. We need a village - this means that the child is loved by many and has relationships with lots of different people - leaders of groups, sporting coaches, teachers, etc. Children need to learn how to form different relationships - be with other people: trust other people - and have leaders to look up to- a mentor, a teacher, a guide. We need a village around our children so they will be protected by love and support as they are navigating these crucial developmental years (McBain, Psychologist, 2010).
3. Healthy Relationships
Building social and personal skills of young people enhance individual capacities, influences attitudes, and promote healthy peer relationships which are protective factors against substance use. Research shows “being socially connected and having good-quality relationships can make us happier and can improve our sense of wellbeing (Marmot, 2008) by providing us with feelings of security and support, and giving meaning to our lives (Field, 2003 and Ditzen et al, 2008).” In contrast, “mental health conditions such as depression, eating disorders, self-harming behaviours and anxiety disorders are characterised by social withdrawal and isolation (American Psychological Association, 2013).” Healthy relationships are associated with higher self-esteem and physical and mental wellbeing (Currie et al, 2012 and Skogbrott Birkeland et al 2014). Healthy relationships can help prevent risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol misuse (Goldstein et al, 2005)
4. Personal Development and Resiliency
When you think about a see-saw, imagine one side with a child’s strengths, skills, and abilities to handle life’s challenges, and the other side consists of challenges - bullying, stress, fear of failure, loss of friends, problems at home, etc. The more skills we can teach children, the easier they will be able to balance themselves back and forth on the “seesaw of life.” Kids need help to learn some of these things, and resiliency isn’t a strong suit in every child. This section provides opportunities to increase knowledge and strengthen skills to enable children to make healthy choices throughout their lives. Red Ribbon Week already uses the “theme days” so we’ve just added some wellness promotion ideas to accompany the themes already so well-loved! These can be done in both elementary and secondary school settings, and the activities target factors including depression, opportunities for prosocial involvement, and lack of commitment to school.
Questions Contact our Red Ribbon Week Rep:
Stephanie Rooney
evespta@gmail.com
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Eagle Valley Elementary PTA
4475 N. Heritage Drive
Eagle Mountain, Utah 84005