In alignment with the Army’s core values and commitment to building strong, healthy communities, Fort Liberty launched Red Ribbon Week to inspire Soldiers, families and school-aged children to commit to a drug-free lifestyle. The campaign, which ran from October 23 through October 31, encourages community members to deepen their understanding of the consequences of drug abuse, including the misuse of prescription medications, and to embrace a life free from harmful substances.
“Substance misuse and abuse directly oppose the Army's values and are inconsistent with the high standards of performance, discipline and readiness necessary to accomplish the Army's mission,” Alysia Arauco, Army Substance Abuse Program Prevention Coordinator, said. “By emphasizing the importance of living drug-free, Red Ribbon Week supports the mission of creating and maintaining a safe, healthy and secure community.”
To raise awareness, Unit Deterrent Leaders have been educating Soldiers through prevention boards, helping the teams understand substance abuse risks and emerging drug trends. This year, UDLs were also challenged to set up prevention boards in their units, offering practical tips and starting points for discussions on drug prevention.
For families and children, the ASAP team provided goodie bags at installation schools, designed to help parents initiate conversations with their children about the importance of living drug-free. On October 31, Fort Liberty hosted the Red Ribbon Resource Fair, a family-friendly event offering wellness resources and live performances by the Golden Knights, the Fort Liberty K9 unit and the 82nd Airborne Division Band.
“We aim to have a long-term impact of reducing drug-related issues by providing tools and resources for parents, schools and organizations to help young people navigate challenges and make safe, informed decisions,” Arauco said.
Despite the unique challenges of promoting drug prevention in a high-tempo military environment with busy training schedules and back-to-back deployments, the ASAP team has developed creative ways to make resources accessible all the time. Red Ribbon Week information has been distributed through various channels, including the Throckmorton Library, Womack Army Medical Center and the Soldier Support Center, as well as through Child Development Centers and installation schools. These outreach efforts ensure that Soldiers and families can engage with the campaign at their convenience.
The campaign opened with a memorable event at Albritton Middle School on October 23. Brig. Gen. Cogbill, Deputy Commanding General at the 18th Airborne Corps, led students in the Red Ribbon pledge, sharing the significance of Red Ribbon Week and the value of living drug-free. The students’ enthusiasm and the support from the Albritton staff set a hopeful tone for the future of this campaign.
While Red Ribbon Week serves as a dedicated time to focus on drug prevention, Fort Liberty’s commitment to this cause extends year-round. The ASAP team conducts a two-day prevention class called "Prime for Life," which focuses on high-risk and low-risk choices and protecting the most valuable things in a person's life. The ASAP team also runs ongoing initiatives like Alcohol Awareness Month in April, Suicide Prevention Month in September, and Drunk and Drugged Driving Month in December, each with goals of fostering healthy choices and reducing substance misuse.
“We hope to send the message that we all can unite against substance abuse to create a healthy and ready community,” Arauco said. “It is never too early to start the conversation about healthy choices and living drug-free.”
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