The week kicks off with the history of Red Ribbon Week, honoring the legacy of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena. Participants take the Drug-Free Pledge, are encouraged to call home and share the pledge with family, and receive their first journal prompts. The Community Call to Action can be distributed and is an empowering message for participants.

🔴 Monday- Red Ribbon Week Begins!

Justice-Involved Red Ribbon Week 

Focus of the Day

Today marks the launch of Justice-Involved Red Ribbon Week. Monday is about awareness, connection, and commitment — starting the week with purpose and a clear understanding of what this campaign means and why it matters.

What’s in Today’s Folder

• A brief history of how Red Ribbon Week began (Kiki Camarena story — PDFs included)

• Pledge options for adults and families

• Monday Activities Flyer — post this on the unit or distribute to participants

• Monday Journal Prompts — encourage voluntary personal reflection

• Community Call to Action — a powerful, uplifting message for participants

• Family Resources — tools for families navigating recovery and incarceration

Encourage Connection

Participants are encouraged to call home and talk with their families about Red Ribbon Week. Consider taking the pledge together — as a way to open honest conversations about drug use, recovery, and prevention within the family.

Consider printing the Monday materials and posting them near the phones as a prompt and reminder.

Challenge for the Week

• Share what they’ve learned about Red Ribbon Week with peers

• Educate staff about the history and significance of the week

• Reflect on why this week matters and how it connects to their own story

• Make one commitment this week — big or small — toward a healthier future

Let’s use this week to inspire change and open the door to honest conversations that can help families grow stronger together.

🔴 Monday Activities

Red Ribbon Week Begins!

✔️ Learn & Reflect

• Learn the history of Red Ribbon Week and the story of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena.

• Complete today’s journal prompts to reflect on your commitment to a drug-free life.

🏠 Family Involvement

• Call home and talk with your family or children about living drug free.

• Take the Drug-Free Pledge together — as a family commitment.

• Sign an Adult/Parent Drug-Free Pledge and send a copy home if possible.

🗣️ Peer Support

• Share what you learned today with a peer or cellmate.

• Talk to a staff member about your commitment to a drug-free life.

• Ask someone: “What does recovery mean to you?”

Family Resources

Helping Families Heal, Prevent, and Grow Together

Families play a vital role in recovery, prevention, and healing. Justice-Involved Red Ribbon Week offers a powerful opportunity to engage, educate, and empower families — especially those impacted by addiction, incarceration, or trauma.

🔴 Red Ribbon Week Family Resources

🌐 https://www.redribbon.org/activities/Parents

• Family activity ideas and pledges to live drug-free

• Red Ribbon story and history

• Tips for talking with children about substance use

Great for schools, family reentry programs, and home discussions.

📘 SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign

🌐 https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you

• Starting age-appropriate drug and alcohol conversations

• Addressing peer pressure and role-playing parent/child discussions

• Downloadable mobile app with conversation guides

🧠 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Family Tools

🌐 https://nida.nih.gov

• Family Checkup guide: tools to improve parenting skills

• Prevention strategies by age group

• Science-based drug facts for youth and parents in English & Spanish

🤝 Al-Anon Family Groups

🌐 https://al-anon.org

• Free literature for newcomers and families affected by a loved one’s addiction

• Meeting locator and teen support via Alateen

• Tools for setting healthy boundaries

🏡 Suggested Family Activities for Red Ribbon Week

• Create a Family Drug-Free Pledge together

• Host a Family Healing Night with crafts, writing, or storytelling

• Make red ribbons or posters as a family commitment symbol

• Share stories of resilience, growth, and second chances

• Write letters to each other about hope and the future

✊ Why This Matters

Families are often rebuilding trust after trauma, addiction, or incarceration. Prevention starts with connection — and healing happens when families feel seen, supported, and involved in the journey.