R 171751Z JUL 25
MARADMIN 334/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC MRA MF WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/23-31 OCTOBER 2025 NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK AND PRESCRIPTION
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY CAMPAIGN//
REF/A/LTR/USD P&R/YMD:20241218//
AMPN/REF A IS USD P&R MEMO FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP COMMANDERS
OF THE COMBAT COMMANDS DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY
DIRECTORS.//
POC/MILTON YOUNG III/GS-13/UNIT: MFCP-1/-/TEL: 703-784-9129/
EMAIL: MILTON.YOUNG@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This MARADMIN provides information for the 2025
Red Ribbon Week Campaign, 23-31 October 2025 and the Prescription
Drug Take Back Day on 25 October 2025.
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
illicit and prohibited drug use and the need for prevention efforts.
Red Ribbon Week is inspired by the service and sacrifice of Drug
Enforcement Administration Special Agent and prior-service Marine,
Enrique S. Camarena, who was tortured and murdered by drug
traffickers in 1985. His ultimate sacrifice for our nation
continues to serve as a reminder to fight the war on drugs.
2.b. The 2025 Red Ribbon Week theme is “Life is a Puzzle. Solve it
Drug Free.” The week is observed by distributing red ribbons during
the last seven days of October. Marine Corps awareness and
prevention activities are encouraged throughout the 2025 Red Ribbon
Week. Examples include providing resource information and
infographics, publishing articles and events of interest in local
media, and allowing Marines and their families to participate in
appropriate observances supporting Red Ribbon Week. Civilian
personnel are also encouraged to participate in community
activities.
2.c. Commands can obtain further information from the National
Family Partnership by calling (305)856-4886, and their
installation’s Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator (DDRC).
2.d. Red Ribbon Week efforts can enhance suicide prevention as
well. 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 can be found on the Marine Corps Community Services
website at https://www.usmc-mccs.org/protect.
3. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Campaign
3.a. This campaign aims to provide a safe, reasonable way to
dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the general
public about the potential misuse of medications.
3.b. Benefits of proper disposal of prescription drugs include
avoiding inadvertent consumption by youth, deterring misuse by teens
and adults, reducing access to lethal means, and preventing
medications from entering the water supply through improper
disposal.
3.c. Substance Assessment and Counseling Program (SACP) directors
and DDRCs are encouraged to support this year’s Prescription Drug
Take Back Day, field questions, and provide individuals with
information regarding the dangers of prescription drug misuse.
SACP directors and DDRCs are also encouraged to partner with their
local Provost Marshal’s Office to support local events such as
collection points for Marines, family members, civilian employees,
and retirees to anonymously and safely turn in unused, unneeded,
and/or expired prescription medications for disposal.
3.d. Additional information on national collection sites can be
found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website,
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/
takeback/takeback.html.
4. This MARADMIN is applicable to the active component, members of
the Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Marines on active-duty
operational support orders, their family members and, when
authorized by law, other populations such as civilian personnel.
5. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Michael J.
Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//