Svakog listopada, zajednice diljem Sjedinjenih Država okupljaju se s moćnim ciljem. Zaštititi mlade, podići svijest o zlouporabi tvari i promicati zdrave, životne stilove bez droga. Kao najveći i najdugovječniji program prevencije droga u zemlji, Kampanja Crvene vrpce služi kao temelj napora Agencije za suzbijanje droga (DEA) u prevenciji, pokrećući nacionalni pokret prema Fentanyl Free America. Bili vi roditelj, učitelj, zdravstveni stručnjak ili strastveni član zajednice, Tjedan Crvene vrpce nudi značajnu priliku da ostavite trajan dojam.

Pokret je započeo 1985. godine u Calexicu u Kaliforniji, rodnom gradu poginulog DEA specijalnog agenta Enriquea „Kikija“ Camarene. Nakon njegove tragične smrti, obitelj, prijatelji i članovi zajednice nosili su crvene vrpce kako bi simbolizirali predanost borbi protiv ilegalnih droga i odali počast njegovom herojskom naslijeđu.

Ono što je počelo kao lokalni pokret brzo je dobilo nacionalni zamah. Zahvaljujući National Family Partnership i službenoj proglasi američkog Kongresa, Tjedan crvene vrpce postao je nacionalni fenomen. Danas, osam dana od 23. do 31. listopada, milijuni Amerikanaca sudjeluju tako što nose crveno, dijele edukativne materijale i organiziraju događaje u zajednici. Tijekom tjedna, podržavatelji ponosno koriste hashtag #GoRed4RedRibbon na društvenim mrežama kako bi odali počast životu i predanosti specijalnog agenta Camarene.

Svake godine, kampanja ističe snažnu poruku koju kreiraju učenici. U suradnji s Nacionalnim savezom za obitelj, ovogodišnja pobjednička tema je: „Učinite razliku. Budite heroj. Ostanite bez droga.”

Tema koju je osmislila učenica američke Griswold Middle School, Ava Tackett iz Griswolda, Connecticut, dočarava pravi duh pokreta. Podsjeća sve, posebno mlade, da imaju osobnu moć oblikovati svjetliju budućnost.

Administrator DEA-e Terry Cole naglašava koliko je ova poruka važna u današnjem vremenu. „Opasne i smrtonosne droge dolaze u mnogim oblicima, uključujući prah, tablete i vape uređaje,“ rekao je Cole te dodao: „Vape uređaji mogu sadržavati nikotin, koncentrate marihuane i druge ilegalne droge, koje mogu biti izuzetno ovisničke. Godišnja Red Ribbon kampanja podsjeća nas da svi imamo važnu ulogu u sprječavanju zlouporabe droga prije nego što ikada počne.”

Ovogodišnja kampanja ide dalje od tradicionalnih poruka integrirajući ključne stupove općeg blagostanja. Zajednice diljem zemlje ističu. Poticanje tjelesne aktivnosti i timskog rada kao pozitivnih, zdravih izlaza. Podrška emocionalnom blagostanju i otvorenim razgovorima kako bi se mladima pomoglo nositi sa stresom bez pribjegavanja supstancama. Edukacija obitelji o opasnostima lijekova na recept i važnosti njihove sigurne pohrane i odlaganja.

Postoji bezbroj načina na koje škole, obitelji i organizacije mogu sudjelovati u Tjednu crvene vrpce i podržati Ameriku bez fentanila.

Pogledajte Virtualni Nacionalni skup crvene vrpce 2026! Dostupan na zahtjev tijekom cijelog mjeseca na www.dea.gov/redribbon i www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com. Skup uključuje inspirativne govore vodstva, glazbene nastupe, predstave bojne garde te objavu dobitnika Nagrada za prevenciju droga u zajednici i natjecanja u likovnim umjetnostima.

DEA je izdala ažurirano izdanje publikacije ‘Droge zloupotrebe’ za 2026. godinu Drugs of Abuse, pružajući znanstveno utemeljene činjenice o supstancama koje ugrožavaju zajednice.

Iskoristite Red Ribbon Toolkit! Posjetite www.dea.gov/redribbon kako biste pronašli plakate za preuzimanje, javne službene objave (PSA) i službenu Red Ribbon zakletvu.

Sudjelujte u natjecanjima! Srednje škole i fakulteti mogu provjeriti 10. godišnji natječaj za video PSA na kampusima Red Ribbon koji organiziraju DEA i SAMHSA na www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest. Obitelji i mladi također se mogu pridružiti foto natječaju Tjedna Crvene vrpce Nacionalnog obiteljskog partnerstva na www.redribbon.org.

Širite vijest! Pratite DEA na Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, i Flickr  kako biste dijelili poruke kampanje i digitalne materijale sa svojom mrežom.

Zajedno možete učiniti razliku. Tjedan crvene vrpce je cjelogodišnja posvećenost stvaranju sigurnih, zdravih i poticajnih okruženja za sljedeću generaciju. Počevši razgovore rano, promičući pozitivno mentalno zdravlje i educirajući zajednice o novim prijetnjama poput fentanila i e-cigareta, svatko može igrati svoju ulogu u tome da postane heroj.

Pridružite se svojim zajednicama diljem zemlje od 23. do 31. listopada i preuzmite obećanje da ćeš ostati bez droga!

Tekst i foto/ Božidar Bebek/ Totalno.HR/ PRESS U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration DEA

Press Release THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN CHAMPIONS PREVENTION TO ADVANCE FENTANYL FREE AMERICA The Red Ribbon Campaign is the Nation’s Largest and Longest Running Drug Prevention Awareness Program WASHINGTON – This October, DEA honors the legacy of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena with the annual Red Ribbon Campaign — the nation’s largest, and longest-running, drug prevention program, which serves as the cornerstone of agency’s prevention efforts. The Red Ribbon Campaign supports DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative by serving as a nationwide call-to-action to increase public awareness and education around highly addictive, dangerous drugs containing fentanyl and emerging drug threats that continue to fuel the opioid epidemic. This year’s Red Ribbon theme, in collaboration with National Family Partnership, is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” highlighting how living a drug-free lifestyle helps build a brighter future. The winning themes were created by Griswold Middle School student Ava Tackett from Griswold, Connecticut. “This year’s Red Ribbon theme captures the spirit of this movement, reminding us that we all have the power to make a difference,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole.  “That means understanding that dangerous and deadly drugs come in many forms, including powder, pills, and vapes. Vapes can contain nicotine, marijuana concentrates, and other illegal drugs, which can be extremely addictive. The annual Red Ribbon campaign is a reminder that we all play an important role in preventing drug misuse before it ever starts and achieving a Fentanyl Free America.” DEA’s virtual 2026 National Red Ribbon Rally is now available on demand at www.dea.gov/redribbon and www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com, where it will remain accessible throughout the month. The rally features remarks by DEA Administrator Terry Cole and ONDCP Director Sarah Carter, a musical performance by Nashville, Tennessee country artist Christiana Alaire, a color guard presentation by DC’s Young Marines and ChalleNGe Academy in Maryland, and the national anthem performed by Kentucky Opry Junior Pros. The event also reveals the winners of DEA’s 2026 Community Drug Prevention Awards and Visual Arts Contest, while showcasing the many ways schools, community organizations, and families can participate in this year’s campaign. To further support education and community engagement, DEA has released the new 2026 edition of the Drugs of Abuse publication, which provides science-based information about substances that endanger individuals and communities. For the past four decades, DEA has recognized October 23 through October 31 as Red Ribbon Week, providing an opportunity for parents, teachers, educators, and community organizations to raise awareness about substance misuse. Throughout the week, you’ll also see DEA #GoRed4RedRibbon to honor Special Agent Camarena’s life and legacy. Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California, and quickly gained momentum across the state and then across the rest of the country. The National Family Partnership turned Red Ribbon Week into a national drug awareness campaign, an eight-day event proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. Reagan.  Every year since, Red Ribbon Week has been celebrated in schools and communities nationwide. As part of Red Ribbon Week, DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are sponsoring the 10th Annual Red Ribbon Campus Video PSA Contest. Last year’s winners and information on how campuses can submit a PSA can be found at www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest. DEA is also a co-sponsor of the National Family Partnership’s annual Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest. More information is available at www.redribbon.org. We encourage you to follow DEA’s social media accounts on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Flickr to help spread awareness. Additional resources including the Red Ribbon Pledge, posters, and PSAs can be found in the Red Ribbon Tool Kit on www.dea.gov/redribbon.

Join communities across the country in celebrating Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31, the nation’s largest drug prevention campaign. This year’s focus is on promoting youth sports, mental health, and prescription drug misuse prevention. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is kicking off the celebration with the annual Red Ribbon Rally. This event brings together communities to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Whether you’re a parent, educator, healthcare professional, or community member, you can help build stronger communities and encourage young people to make healthy choices. Learn how you can get involved. Explore the Toolkit