23-31 OCTOBER 2026 NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY CAMPAIGN

R 061507Z OCT 26
MARADMIN 477/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF//
SUBJ/23-31 OCTOBER 2026 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: MFC/-/TEL: 703-784-9129
EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This MARADMIN provides information for the 2026
Red Ribbon Week Campaign, 23-31 October 2026 and the Prescription
Drug Take Back Day on 24 October 2026.
2. Red Ribbon Week Campaign
2.a. Each year our nation commemorates 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 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 2026 Red Ribbon Week theme is "Make a Difference.
Be a Hero. Stay 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
2026 Red Ribbon Week. Examples include providing resources 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 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 are located 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 is designed 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. Programming
and messaging encouraging parents to discuss healthy decisions
regarding substance misuse with their children and teens should also
be made available.
3.d. Additional information on national collection sites is located
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 William J. Bowers,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//