Print Version
While there is a different theme for Red Ribbon Week each year, the Red Ribbon Pledge never changes. It is:
No Use of Illegal Drugs, No Illegal Use of Legal Drugs
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No Uso de Drogas Ilegales, No Uso Ilegal de Drogas Legales
The Red Ribbon pledge is a no-nonsense, clear, consistent and even powerful pledge - one that all students, parents, teachers and community leaders should be willing to make — and more importantly — expected to keep! It is a pledge that makes sense to students and parents alike.
Download 8-up Red Ribbon Pledge Badges (Print / Press Ready)
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1-Color Badges
Children can add color to these 1-Color badges by personalizing them with crayons or markers.
Why Does It Matter?
As you develop and host your Red Ribbon Celebration, you must present credible and consistent messages that will endure over time. Carefully consider what you say and how you say it when designing prevention related pledges and slogans.
Consider the following: Our society utilizes medications to serve both physical and mental health.
Medicines prescribed by a physician and over the counter remedies such as aspirins, cough syrup, antibiotics, pain killers, and other legal drugs are used to treat common, everyday illnesses.
There are students and teachers at your school who are not drug free – even though they are obeying the law. You need to remember to include – rather than exclude – them in your prevention efforts.
Young people interpret the statements we make quite literally. Often times, they are suspicious of what adults say and are quick to notice inconsistencies in the messages we convey. Therefore, you must strive to develop prevention messages that are seamless, timeless, and consistent for students of all ages. If you don’t, you may jeopardize the legitimacy and credibility of your schools prevention efforts at a time when young people need legitimate and credible information the most.
In addition to the Red Ribbon Pledge, you are encouraged to develop slogans and pledges that use phrases like:
"Alcohol Free "Tobacco Free" "Illegal Drug Free"
The Red Ribbon Celebration also provides an opportunity for you to promote the fact that MOST students do not use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. By promoting this truth, you normalize the healthy behaviors that the majority of young people choose. Learn more about Social Norms Marketing by visiting www.youthcreatingchange.com
