Red Ribbon Week Toolkit

2026

Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity for schools to reinforce healthy, drug-free messages with students. By participating, New Jersey schools help students understand the risks of drug use, model healthy choices, and create a supportive environment where prevention is a shared responsibility.

Red Ribbon Week begins Friday, October 23, with this year’s theme: “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.”

We’ve included fun activity ideas and ready-to-use social media posts to help your school celebrate. Since Red Ribbon Week kicks off on Friday, suggested activities follow a Monday–Friday schedule beginning October 26.

📸 Share your celebrations! Send us photos or tag @CFPCNJ for a chance to be featured!

🎨 What’s Your Anti-Drug? Contest

The contest is back! Students can submit artwork, poems, photos, stories, or a video showing what inspires them to make healthy choices. Entries are due November 9 by 5:00 p.m. A total of 40 selected entries will be featured in RISE, the Coalition’s Youth Magazine.

Student artwork, poems, photos, stories and videos are great ways to celebrate Red Ribbon Week and can be displayed around your school, shared on social media, or featured during morning announcements.

What's Your Anti-Drug Contest (Grades 4-12)

What Makes You Happy Contest (Grades K-3)

Spirit Week Ideas

Monday, October 26

Kick off Red Ribbon Week by encouraging students and staff to wear red to show they're "red-y" to make healthy choices!

To kick off Red Ribbon week, encourage your students and staff to wear red and include a day 1 Red Ribbon Week message in your school's morning announcements (for daily morning announcement ideas click here.)

Plant the Promise

Additionally, if possible, participate in “Plant The Promise,” where students plant red flower bulbs that bloom in the spring as a reminder of the importance and beauty of living a drug-free life.

This activity also provides a chance to enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature, take a break from daily stress, and see the rewards of something beautiful you've nurtured.

We also want to thank the Lake Hopatcong Elks for partnering with us this year to fund 7 Sussex County schools to participate!

Interested? Complete the Plant the Promise application and send it to Kaitlyn Decker at kaitlyn@centerforprevention.org.

Use these!

Social Media Posts

Here is a link to editable posts that you can use for social media during red ribbon week. After a few of the post images are some caption ideas.

Template Link

Tuesday, October 27

Be a Hero: Make a Difference!

Have students and staff dress like their favorite superhero or wear superhero-inspired gear to show that making healthy choices is a real superpower!

Get ready for Thursday’s Door Decorating Contest! Give each homeroom time to come up with a drug-free slogan or theme and gather the supplies they’ll need. Thursday will be decoration day!

Door Ideas: Create displays with student superheroes, stars, or speech bubbles showing healthy choices, personal strengths, ways to make a difference, or positive responses to peer pressure. Or add a Halloween twist: Pumpkin Patch of Good Choices • Cast a Spell on Peer Pressure • Be a Hero, Not a Zombie! Have fun and get creative!

Wednesday, October 28

Be a Hero: Power Up Your Wellness!

Have students and staff wear their pajamas or comfy clothes!

It’s day 3 and time to recharge! Have students and staff wear their coziest pajamas and take a wellness break. Encourage everyone to use healthy ways to manage stress, recharge, and stay focused on their goals. Don’t forget your morning announcements and photos for social media!

Alt idea: Peace, Love & Prevention. Wear Tie Dye! Talk to students about what the word prevention means.

Take a quick break from schoolwork with a Red Ribbon Week word search or another fun wellness activity. Work on entering a theme for next years red ribbon week Enter the 2027 Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest

Thursday, October 29

Team up Against Drugs

Students can wear clothing/jerseys representing their favorite sports team, school organization, club, or activity. Use the day to remind students that strong teams support one another, make healthy choices, and help each other stay drug free.

Alt idea: Sock it to Drugs - wear your favorite crazy or mismatched socks!

It’s also Door Decorating Day! Reminder to finish decorating their doors for tomorrow’s judging.

Friday, October 30

Wear your Halloween Costume

Day 5 is here—and have no fear!

Let’s wrap up Red Ribbon Week with some Halloween fun! Students and staff can celebrate by wearing their Halloween costume today.

Door Decoration Contest:

It’s time to show off your creativity! Door decorations will be judged today - may the best door win!

Other Theme Ideas:

Decades Day, 80's, 90's:"Make Healthy Choices Timeless"

Favorite Book or Movie Character: "Heroes Come in Many Forms"

Camo Day: "Stay Strong, Stay Drug Free"

Denim Day: "Stand Strong Against Drugs"

Additional Shout-Out Worthy Resources!

All Schools:

Check out this year's Natural High Red Ribbon Week lesson plans and consider having your educators utilize them throughout the week. Each lesson includes a video, discussion, and activity making them very engaging. The lessons are available in two different age categories, 4th-5th grades and 6-12th grades.

Middle & High Schools:

The Center for Prevention and Counseling provides Don't Get Vaped In for 6th through 12th graders in Sussex County. This program highlights the health consequences of using vapes, and the sneaky marketing tactics that tobacco companies use. This program is one session (about 45 minutes) and uses an interactive Kahoot.

The Center for Prevention and Counseling provides Just Facts NJ for 7th through 12th graders in Sussex County. This program provides education on local and national trends of marijuana use and the impacts on brain development, behavior, and physical and mental health. Additionally, the curriculum educates youth on refusal skills and healthy ways to cope from stress or anxiety without using substances.

High Schools:

The Center for Prevention and Counseling's prevention educators also provide the Addiction 101 program to high school youth. This program provides essential education on the science and progression of addiction. The presentation engages youth in discussions regarding opioids, pain medication, and resources for local support and recovery services.

For more information or to schedule one of these programs for your students please contact Natalie at Natalie@centerforprevention.org.

Sussex County's Youth Tobacco Action Group, is a youth-led action group focused on educating and mobilizing peers to take action in creating tobacco-free communities. This is a great opportunity for teens (ages 13-18) to be part of statewide campaigns, policy creation and education opportunities while developing networking skills, building resumes and receiving community service. Contact- Tania Bansemer to learn more about how to get your students involved!