To: Board of Supervisors
From: Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Report Title: Red Ribbon Week Proclamation 2024
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT recommendation to proclaim Red Ribbon Week on October 23rd -31st, 2024 in Contra Costa County. In recognition of the ongoing alcohol and other drugs prevention efforts by schools and prevention community organizations to increase safety and well-being among Contra Costa communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
Once a year, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board of Contra Costa County and its partners acknowledge Red Ribbon Week in Contra Costa County on October 23rd -31st, 2024, to highlight substance use prevention efforts to increase the safety and well-being of Contra Costa residents.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF DECLARING
OCTOBER 23rd - 31st, 2024 “RED RIBBON WEEK” IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
WHEREAS, on the occasion of the proclamation of “National Red Ribbon Week”, Contra Costa County joins schools and communities across California including the Community Alliance for Drug Free Youth (CADFY), parent-community organizations, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the State Department of Education, the California Parent Teacher Association, and over 100 other statewide agencies, departments, and other organizations to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, the National Family Partnership, Inc., initiated the Red Ribbon Campaign after Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was killed in Mexico by drug traffickers in 1985; and
WHEREAS, drug and alcohol abuse create staggering societal costs and prevent millions of people from reaching their full potential at school, on the job, and in their communities. At a time when overdoses have reached an all-time high, it is imperative that visible, unified efforts by community members be launched to prevent drug use and alcohol abuse; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses with 76% involving prescription or illicit opioids, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This increase has largely been driven by rising overdoses involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Overdose deaths involving psychostimulants, and particularly methamphetamine, have also risen steeply in recent years, and many of these deaths involved use of an opioid at the same time; and
WHEREAS, delaying substance use until after adolescence significantly reduces the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder and that every dollar spent on effective school-based prevention programs returns $18 in averted medical costs and improved productivity. By investing in evidence-based and promising strategies like youth-led programs which contribute to the development of our youth’s full potential, we can continue to make progress and protect our future; and
WHEREAS, with drug overdose deaths rising at an unprecedented rate, it is critically important that we take action to prevent substance use among youth and continue to invest in the expansion of youth specific substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs in Contra Costa; and
WHEREAS, this year Alcohol and Other Drugs in partnership with the Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board, schools and other community-based organizations, coordinate Red Ribbon Week activities to offer residents an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to healthy, alcohol and drug-free lifestyles, by wearing and displaying Red Ribbons and participating in prevention activities during this week-long celebration; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
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That the County Board of Supervisors does hereby support October 23rd - 31st, 2024 as RED RIBBON WEEK “Life is a Movie. Live Drug Free”, and encourages all citizens to participate in tobacco, alcohol and other drug prevention programs and activities. Be it also resolved that the County Board of Supervisors encourages all community members to pledge support to alcohol and drug-free communities.