Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the United States, taking place annually on Oct. 23 – 31. Coppell ISD schools participate in Red Ribbon Week every year. 

During Red Ribbon Week, Student Council takes initiatives for drug prevention. Student Council worked with the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club to spread information about the risks of vaping and drug use. 

“Drug use prevention is especially important right now because of the prevalence of vaping in high school,” SADD president senior Maya Mohan said. “Peer pressure and the notion that ‘everyone does it’ has caused so many present health issues.”

Student Council’s primary objective during Red Ribbon Week is to spread awareness for drug abuse.

“[SADD] handed out many red ribbon pins and hung red ribbons throughout the school,” Mohan said. “Hopefully, even seeing a simple red ribbon reminded people to make good choices.” 

This year, Student Council has a year-long project focusing on vaping and its prevention. 

“Vaping is one of the biggest concerns in our school right now, solely because of how [many] people do not know about the long-term effects,” Student Council parliamentarian senior Diya Patel said. 

Student Council believes increased drug use is harmful for high schoolers. 

“Drugs should not be something teenagers turn to, but in this day and age it is,” Student Council project officer senior Kinsey Bailey said. 

Sponsored by the National Family Partnership, Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 after the murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. 

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