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Red Ribbon Week Resources: Substance Abuse Prevention

From October 23 to October 31, schools around the country will practice activities and raise awareness for Red Ribbon Week, a week dedicated to teach and prevent alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuse throughout the United States.

Red Ribbon Week is important for citizens of all ages to practice, so teachers in schools across the country will do what they can to teach their students young and old about drug and alcohol abuse and how to stay safe.

EducationWorld has curated a list of lesson plans and other activities for teachers to use during Red Ribbon Week. A big contributor to the list is from Prevention Partners, a campaign dedicated to supplying schools and other organizations with supplies for prevention programs.

  1. Humpty Dumpty's Feelings:

Grade: K-2

In this activity, students learn to identify and name feelings and have empathy by comparing and contrasting hurting someone's feelings with saying caring and kind things by using a large drawing of Humpty Dumpty.

  1. What are Safe and Unsafe Drugs/Medicines/Objects:

Grade: K-4

With this worksheet,  provided by Lesson Planet, students can examine safe and healthy scenarios and identify whether it is safe or unsafe, and healthy or unhealthy.

  1. Red Ribbon Pledge:

Grades: 1-4

With this printable, students can fill out this worksheet to pledge they will be "drug free" so that when they grow up, they can be whatever they want to be.

  1. Speaking Out About Alcohol:

Grades: 6-8

In this activity, students will review facts about alcohol's effect on the brain, and share opinions about its use.

  1. Handprint Heart:

Grades: K-4

This craft was originally used for Father's Day, but the source also suggests for students to use this as a symbol for friendship and support in honor of Red Ribbon Week.

  1. The Drug-Free Work Place:

Grade: High School

With this activity, students will study the purpose of drug-free workplace policies and draft their own versions of a drug-free workplace policy.

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor