Red Ribbon Week, which is celebrated annually October 23-31, is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. Here's how we celebrated RRW this year:
Allegheny County
On Tuesday and Thursday, Stephanie Matour, Youth Services Coordinator, and Carlyn Becker, Health Educator, visited Propel Braddock Hills High School to give our vaping presentation, "Vaping, Nicotine, and Tobacco: What They Don't Want You To Know." Eleventh grade students learned about the dangers of nicotine and tobacco and were provided information on how to make informed decisions regarding these products. Lollipops were handed out with the tagline, "Don't Be a Sucker for Big Tobacco," and red ribbons were given to the school. Propel Braddock Hills is one of TFAH's newest school partners.
On Friday, TFAH collaborated with Adagio Health Community Education Team and worked with Amina to present on the dangers of vaping, nicotine, and tobacco and the marketing lies of Big Tobacco. TFAH team promoted TRU and discussed the importance of remaining nicotine and tobacco free.
Southwestern Pennsylvania
On Monday, October 24 Tobacco Free Adagio Health (Southwest) celebrated the start of Red Ribbon Week with Ligonier Valley High School in Westmoreland County. Diana Mihalcik, SW Program Manager, and Katerina Patrick, Health Educator, did a tabling event during lunches signing students up for Tobacco Resistance Unit Group (TRU) and doing some tobacco/nicotine trivia. We signed up 30 students and had interaction with about 60. Prior to RRW we assisted in planning a “spirit week” with Ligonier TRU group and provided a gift basket for a raffle drawing for a student that participates most throughout the prevention week.
On October 25, Rachel Bowden, Healthcare Coordinator, and Katerina Patrick, Health Educator, presented Motivational Interviewing and Quitline Training to Respiratory Therapists at Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital (Washington County). We shared with 5 these therapists can have these hard conversations and make them very short because we understand they are busy. This advanced COPD hospital looks forward to working with us in order to pass on resources/services to their patients. Program managers, Diana Mihalcik and Hannah Cristofano presented at Adelphi Education in Fayette County, reaching around 60 students from 4th-12th grade, educating them on the Dangers of Vaping.
On October 26 Tobacco Free Adagio Health presented Why Animals Don’t Smoke to 60 third grade students at Berlin Brothersvalley Elementary school. The students were very engaged and had great questions asking how the products came around and why do people use them if they are unhealthy.
On October 27 Tobacco Free Adagio Health presented Why Animals Don’t Smoke to about 300 students at North Star Elementary School covering grades K-4. The students interacted a lot helping with explaining the animals and their reasons to not smoke. The students really enjoyed seeing our gross jars and asking questions about how tobacco creates these injuries/diseases.
On October 28 Tobacco Free Adagio Health attended Forrest Hills High School to facilitate our Vaping Presentation with Cambria County Drug Coalition. We presented for 7-12 graders within the school. Individuals expressed how they did not understand what nicotine truly does to oneself. We also had a couple individuals express their interest in a TRU group.
Past Red Ribbon Weeks
Allegheny County
Lei Off of Drugs
On 10/27 Duquesne University Center, for Integrative Health offered free chronic disease and tobacco screenings to residents of Northview Heights and those living on the Northside of Pittsburgh. Tobacco Coordinator, DeJour Young distributed hawiann leis in honor of Red Ribbon Week in an effort to promote the aware of tobacco an drug use. The initative was called ‘Lei Off of Drugs.
On 10/26 Duquesne University Center, for Integrative Health offered free tobacco screenings and resources to Duquesne University students and community. Tobacco Coordinator, DeJour Young distributed hawiann leis in honor of Red Ribbon Week in an effort to promote the aware of tobacco an drug use. The initiative was called ‘Lei Off of Drugs’.
Duquesne University Dining Hall Staff Support Red Ribbon Week Event, Lei off Drugs initiative.
Poster Contest with Wilkins Primary and Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The students created posters about their dream occupations and Jonna created a video about how using tobacco products can affect your ability to grow up and pursue your dream job. She discussed that if you want to be an athlete, you shouldn’t use tobacco products because you will damage your lungs, as well as making other connections to the harmful effects of tobacco on the body. The students did a great job expressing themselves through their artwork and received Tobacco Free Adagio Health swag for their participation in Red Ribbon Week.
Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health
Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health staff wear red in honor of Red Ribbon Week on October 27th, 2021.
Duquesne University Center, for Integrative Health and the School of Nursing
On 10/28 Duquesne University Center, for Integrative Health and the School of Nursing offered free chronic disease and tobacco screenings to residents of the Glen Hazel High Rise in Glen Hazel. Tobacco Coordinator, DeJour Young distributed Hawaiian leis and red ribbons in honor of Red Ribbon Week.
Pictured above, Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health staff, Bridges to Health Community Health Workers and Duquesne University School of Nursing. The event was held on 10/28 where we offered free health screenings, tobacco services, and hygiene kits and provided connections to care within the neighborhood.