Columbia, SC – With a focus on keeping our youth drug free, LRADAC’s Prevention Specialists—led by spokespuppets Squiggles and Wiggles—have been working hard on this year’s Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program taking place Oct. 23-31. Planned outreach efforts include the delivery of resource packets to schools in Lexington and Richland school districts, Healthy Choices presentations, and prevention-focused puppet shows—starring Squiggles and Wiggles—to elementary school children and on LRADAC’s social media channels (www.facebook.com/lradacsc and Instagram @LRADACSC). Collectively, LRADAC’s Prevention team will provide resources for 36 schools and are presenting to students and parents at 13 schools.
Other events for Red Ribbon Week include:
Community Resource Drive-Thru Event: Red Ribbon Week kicks off early on Thurs., Oct. 22 at the Community Resource Drive-Thru Event where community members can pick up educational resources, Narcan, and Deterra pouches to help prevent drug misuse and drug overdose. The drive-thru event is from 9 am to 1 pm in the parking lot/admin side of LRADAC’s Richland office at 2711 Colonial Drive.
National Prescription Drug Takeback Day: In partnership with the West Columbia Police department, Drug Takeback Day provides members of the community an opportunity to safely dispose of unused, unwanted and expired drugs to help prevent drug misuse. Takeback Day will be held Sat., Oct. 24, 10 am to 2 pm, at the West Columbia Police Department: 200 12th St, West Columbia; BI-LO: 2349 Augusta Rd, West Columbia; and Medicine Mart Pharmacy: 1300 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia.
Red Ribbon Week Door Contest: LRADAC’s local Red Ribbon Week Door Contest is for children ages K-12 in Richland and Lexington Counties. Youth are encouraged to decorate classroom doors, their front door at home, even a bedroom door—as long as it has an original, creative and inspiring design that promotes a drug-free lifestyle and/or has an anti-drug, alcohol, tobacco or bullying theme. To enter, email a photo of your door design to rrwsubmissions@yahoo.com by Oct. 31. Gift cards awarded to top three winners.
Beyond Red Ribbon Week, LRADAC’s Prevention Specialists offer presentations and other prevention services at no cost all year long in the Lexington and Richland area. If you are interested in learning more or booking an in-person or virtual prevention presentation for your school, church or organization, call (803) 726-9366.
