IF/The Florida Family Partnership announce new contest for 26th annual Red Ribbon Week

Informed Families (IF) /The Florida Family Partnership announced the new contest for its 26th annual Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31: "It's Up to Me to be Drug Free."  The nation's oldest and largest drug prevention campaign will reach 6,000+ schools throughout Florida.  "As schools across Florida celebrate Red Ribbon Week, this year students will take the message home," said Peggy Sapp, IF's President and CEO.  "By entering the contest and decorating their homes together, families carry the message to their communities."

Students (K-12) can enter by decorating their homes together with their parents - mailboxes, front doors or fences.  Parents (18 or older) can upload photos to www.informedfamilies.org/contest or www.facebook.com/informedfamilies. Friends and family can then vote for their entry November 1-15.  The entries with most votes win, throughout six regions in Florida.  Parents and businesses can become Red Ribbon Week Ambassadors by sponsoring classrooms and schools with materials (visit http://www.informedfamilies.org/ to become an Ambassador).

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a national partner. "SAMHSA is honored to be part of this effort for many years, and we hope together we will continue to reach more audiences to prevent substance abuse within our families, schools, and communities," said Frances Harding of SAMHSA.  Also partnering is the DEA: "Wear the Red Ribbon to show you care about having a healthy body and a clear mind free of drugs," said Michele M. Leonhart, Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.  "Take the pledge, because it's up to you and me to be drug free!"