Red Ribbon Week is a national effort to keep kids drug-free. It takes place annually on Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. Locally, many schools and organizations participate in the event by encouraging children and teens to wear red, bringing educational activities into the school, and giving out prizes for positive behaviors. 
​Janet Whitfield-Hyduk, the Partnership's Drug-Free Communities Grant Coordinator, supported Red Ribbon Week efforts on Oct. 26 at St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph County.

The Partnership was also proud to be a part of the 32nd Annual Red Ribbon March and Rally in South Bend. This year's rally theme was "I Choose Me to Be Drug Free!" The rally honored two adults and two youth from the community who embody the spirit of Red Ribbon. These individuals demonstrate what it means to be drug free, advocate for others, and support the community in countless ways. The participants also had the pleasure of watching performances from local talent.

Red Ribbon Week is just one initiative the Partnership is proud to support. If your school or organization would like to get involved or would like to bring the Partnership to an upcoming drug prevention event, please contact us! 

Since 2021, the Partnership for a Drug-Free St. Joseph County has hosted an Annual Youth Video Contest for St. Joseph County students. Middle and high school students in the county are invited to create and submit a 30-second video answering a specific prompt. In 2022, the prompt was: What Drug-Free Looks Like On Me. 20 videos were submitted for the 2022 contest, with 66 students working together to answer the prompt in video format. Two winners were selected and announced at the Red Carpet Celebration. The winning videos were featured for three months as commercials on WNDU.
​Check out the winning videos below!