Garrett County Residents: Light Up Red for Red Ribbon Week

By Shannon Sexton, Program Coordinator

The Health Education and Outreach Unit of the Garrett County Health Department is asking all residents to participate in this year’s Red Ribbon Week, celebrated October 23-31. To show your support for a drug-free community, we encourage you to change your porch lights to red for the week. This small but powerful action symbolizes a united stand against drug use.

We also invite all local car dealerships to join the cause by moving their red vehicles to the front of their lots, helping to create a visual reminder across the town of our shared commitment to living drug-free. In addition, we encourage local businesses to participate by decorating their storefront windows in red. Whether it’s with red lights, ribbons, or displays, your efforts will help spread awareness and show community solidarity in promoting a drug-free lifestyle. By coming together, we can create a powerful visual message throughout Garrett County that underscores the importance of drug prevention and healthy living for all.

In addition, the Health Education and Outreach Department will walk in the Oakland Firemen’s Parade on October 10 to help promote drug prevention efforts. If you’d like to join us on the parade route and learn how you can make a difference in our community by choosing to live drug-free, please contact Shannon Sexton, Program Coordinator at 301-334-7730.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual drug prevention awareness campaign observed in the United States, typically held during the last week of October. It aims to educate youth about the dangers of drug use and encourage them to make healthy, drug-free choices. 

The Red Ribbon campaign was established in 1985 to honor Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed in the line of duty while investigating drug traffickers. Red Ribbon Week is important because it provides a platform for schools, communities, and families to engage in open discussions about substance abuse, promote positive decision-making, and foster a drug-free environment. Through various activities and educational programs, it helps raise awareness about the negative impacts of drugs and empowers young people to resist peer pressure and lead healthy lives.

Let’s light up Garrett County in red and stand together for a healthier, safer future!