This week is Red Ribbon Week, and Marion County is participating in the yearly week to raise awareness against alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and violence.

The awareness week began in 1985 as a tribute to a fallen DEA agent, and according to the DEA, it is the nation’s longest-running drug awareness and prevention movement. Schools in Marion County will be putting on different activity days this year for students K-12 to participate in. The Marion County Cares Coalition has received 6,500 red ribbons to pass out to all students in the county.

A focus for Marion County Public Health not just during Red Ribbon Week, but year round, is tobacco prevention with an emphasis on vaping. Marion County Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Del Bennett says they have a program they offer for students.  

“Right now a large number of middle schoolers are vaping up through high school. Vaping is a big thing. We do have a program that is put out through the state. It’s called “My Life My Quit” and it’s a program that has sessions that the student would go through to help seek them to help stop vaping. It gives them information. It gives them someone that they can talk to that’s maybe not a parent if their parent doesn’t know.” 

Red Ribbon Week is October 23rd-27th.