CAIRO — Red Ribbon Week’s nationwide campaign to educate and empower American communities with the tools necessary to help youth and families steer clear of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction is underway.

October is National Substance Abuse Awareness Month, and Grady County and Drug Free Grady are celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 25-29

“Our goal for Red Ribbon Week is to impact and empower Grady County’s youth and families to lead a life free from drug and alcohol abuse,” said Nola Daughtry, chair of Drug Free Grady. 

Daughtry, along with Drug Free Grady’s board of directors, aims to raise awareness and educate community members about new and alarming trends in substance abuse. 

Red Ribbon Week features daily events in which Drug Free Grady is inviting the entire community to participate. 

Upcoming are:

• Wednesday — Prayer Day: Invite a friend and join the community at noon on the Grady County Courthouse lawn for prayers and testimonies.

• Thursday — Share Day: share the Red Ribbon theme “Drug Free Like Me.”

• Friday — Sports Day: wear red to work and school.

Drug Free Grady is also partnering with local schools by holding an art/essay contest using the theme “Drug Free Like Me.” First, second, and third place gift cards will be awarded to the winning Grady County student participants.  Gift card sponsors are: Home Slice, Gate 16 Café, Maryland Fried Chicken, Mr. Chick and Punkey’s.

Categories for all Grady County Schools:

Pre-K through second grade:

Theme/Instructions: Create a piece of original art inspired by empowering others to be “Drug Free Like Me.”

Prizes:  

First place – $20 gift card

Second place – $15 gift card

Third place – $10 card

Third through fifth grade:

Theme/Instructions: submit a piece of original art or an essay (500-word limit) inspired by the theme: how to empower others to be “Drug Free Like Me.”

First place – $20 gift card

Second place – $15 gift card

Third place – $10 gift card

Sixth through eighth grade:

Theme/Instructions: submit a piece of original art or an essay (500-word limit) inspired by the theme: how to empower others to be “Drug Free Like Me.”

First place – $20 gift card

Second place – $15 gift card

Third place – $10 card

Ninth through 12th grade:

Theme/Instructions: submit a piece of original art or an essay (500-word limit) inspired by the theme: how to empower others to be “Drug Free Like Me.”

First place – $30 gift card

Second place – $20 gift card

Third place – $10 gift card

Drug Free Grady is a non-profit organization formed in 2020, and the former committee of the Grady Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention (GSAP) committee. Drug Free Grady continues to serve the needs of Grady County through drug and alcohol education and awareness. Join Drug Free Grady in raising awareness and uniting the community to protect people from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.