R 131313Z SEP 22
MARADMIN 458/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC/CMC MRA MF WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/23-31 OCTOBER 2022 NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK AND 29 OCTOBER 2022 PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY CAMPAIGN//
REF/A/MSGID: LTR/USD P&R MEMO/YMD: 20220509//
POC/ERIC HOLLINS/GS-13/UNIT: MFCP-1/-/TEL: DSN 278-9526/EMAIL: ERIC.C.HOLLINS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN provides information for this year’s Red Ribbon Week observance and semi-annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
2.  Red Ribbon Week Campaign
2.a.  Each year our nation celebrates Red Ribbon Week, a national voluntary effort to increase awareness of the consequences of illegal drug use and the need for prevention efforts.  Red Ribbon Week is inspired by the death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent and prior service Marine Enrique S. Camarena, whom drug traffickers tortured and murdered in 1985.  His ultimate sacrifice for our nation continues to serve as a reminder to fight the war on drugs.  The theme for 2022 is “Celebrate Life.  Live Drug Free.”  The week is observed by distributing red ribbons during the last seven days of October.  Marine Corps activities are encouraged throughout Red Ribbon Week 2022.  Examples include providing resource information and infographics, publishing articles and events of interest in local media, and allowing Marines and their family members to participate in appropriate observances supporting Red Ribbon Week.  Civilian personnel are also encouraged to participate in community activities.
2.b.  Commands can obtain further information from the National Family Partnership (888-474-0008) and their installation’s Drug Demand Reduction Program.
2.c.  Commands also should use Red Ribbon Week to increase suicide prevention awareness, which is a top priority within the Marine Corps.  Each year, about half of all suicide attempts in the Marine Corps involve overdose, and the methods used to reduce access to illicit drugs can reduce risk of suicide attempt by overdose.  Let us create an atmosphere that reduces stigma, promotes lethal means safety, and encourages help-seeking behaviors, while having honest conversations with our Marines and Sailors.  Suicide prevention resources and infographics are located on the Manpower and Reserve Affairs website at https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/BehavioralProgramsBranch/ pages_behavioralprogramsbranch/suicidepreventioncapability.
3.  National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Campaign
3.a.  The semi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day takes place on 29 Oct 22.  It aims to provide a safe, reasonable way to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential abuse of medications.
3.b.  Benefits of proper disposal of prescription drugs include avoiding inadvertent consumption by youth, deterring misuse by teens and adults, and preventing medications from entering the water supply through improper disposal.
3.c.  Substance Abuse Counseling Center (SACC) Directors and Drug Demand Reduction Coordinators (DDRCs) are encouraged to support this year’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Additionally, SACC Directors and DDRCs may contact their local Provost Marshal offices to support this event onboard their installations.  During the event, installation DDRCs are encouraged to field questions and provide individuals with information regarding the dangers of prescription drug misuse.  Additionally, each SACC is encouraged to coordinate with local law enforcement officials to establish collection points for Marines, family members, civilian employees, and retirees to anonymously and safely turn in unused, unneeded, and/or expired noprescription medications for disposal.
4.  Additional information on national collection sites can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website, https:(slash)(slash)www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/.
5.  Release authorized by SES Michael R. Strobl, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Acting.//