Fort Liberty Launches Red Ribbon Week to Promote a Drug-Free Community | Article

Consistent with the Army's core values ​​and commitment to building strong, healthy communities, Fort Liberty created Red Ribbon Week to inspire Soldiers, families and school-age children to live a drug-free lifestyle. The campaign, which ran October 23-31, encourages community members to deepen their understanding of the consequences of substance abuse, including prescription drug abuse, and to live lives free of harmful substances.

“Substance abuse and abuse directly contradict Army values ​​and are inconsistent with the high standards of performance, discipline and readiness required to accomplish the Army’s mission,” said Alysia Arauco, Army Substance Abuse Program Coordinator. “By emphasizing the importance of living a drug-free life, Red Ribbon Week supports the mission of creating and maintaining a safe, healthy and secure community.”

To raise awareness, Unit Deterrent leaders have educated Soldiers about prevention panels and helped teams understand drug abuse risks and emerging drug trends. This year, UDLs also faced the challenge of setting up prevention boards in their units that provide practical tips and starting points for drug prevention discussions.

The ASAP team provided goodie bags for families and children in the facility schools to help parents have conversations with their children about the importance of a drug-free life. On Oct. 31, Fort Liberty hosted the Red Ribbon Resource Fair, a family-friendly event featuring wellness resources and live performances by the Golden Knights, the Fort Liberty K9 Unit and the 82nd Airborne Division Band.

“We want to make a long-term impact in reducing drug-related problems by providing parents, schools and organizations with tools and resources to help young people overcome challenges and make safe, informed decisions,” Arauco said.

Despite the unique challenges of promoting drug prevention in a fast-paced military environment, busy training schedules, and back-to-back deployments, the ASAP team has developed creative ways to make resources accessible at all times. Red Ribbon Week information was disseminated through various channels, including Throckmorton Library, Womack Army Medical Center and Soldier Support Center, as well as through child development centers and installation schools. This outreach effort ensures that Soldiers and families can participate in the campaign at their convenience.

The campaign opened with a memorable event at Albritton Middle School on October 23rd. General Cogbill, deputy commanding general of the 18th Airborne Corps, led the students in the Red Ribbon Pledge and explained to them the meaning of Red Ribbon Week and the value of living a drug-free life. The enthusiasm of the students and the support of Albritton staff sets a hopeful tone for the future of this campaign.

While Red Ribbon Week serves as a special time for drug prevention, Fort Liberty is committed to this cause year-round. The ASAP team runs a two-day prevention course called “Prime for Life,” which focuses on high- and low-risk decisions and protecting the most valuable things in a person’s life. The ASAP team also runs ongoing initiatives such as Alcohol Awareness Month in April, Suicide Prevention Month in September and Drunk Driving Month in December, each with the goal of promoting healthy choices and reducing substance abuse.

“We hope to send the message that we can all unite against substance abuse to create a healthy and ready community,” Arauco said. “It’s never too early to start the conversation about healthy choices and living a drug-free life.”