“Life is a puzzle, solve it drug-free” is this year’s Red Ribbon Week theme

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) works to keep youth safe all year round.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual event every October focused on school education and awareness of youth substance misuse issues.

This year’s Red Ribbon Week falls from October 23rd-31st with the theme for this year being “Life is a puzzle, solve it drug free.”

According to RAYSAC, it was started by the DEA as a national awareness initiative to honor Kiki Camarone, a DEA agent killed by cartels in Mexico.

RAYSAC encourages and supports all Roanoke Valley schools to get involved with Red Ribbon week, by providing recognition and contests for schools to highlight substance misuse programs and awareness.

Meanwhile, National Rx Drug Takeback Day happens on October 25 from 10 AM until 2 PM.

Law enforcement and volunteers from across the Roanoke Valley will be setting up sites to collect expired and leftover medications.

RAYSAC works with our local law enforcement to include medication safety tools and education for all participants at each site.

Click here to find Rx Drug Takeback Day Dropoff locations.