On October 22, the Goshen Central School District welcomed students and staff from across Orange County to kick off Red Ribbon Week 2025, a nationwide campaign focused on drug and alcohol prevention. The district partnered with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) to host a powerful event aimed at inspiring healthy, drug-free choices among students.
This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme, “Life is a Puzzle. Solve it Drug Free,” encourages students to see their lives as valuable and worth protecting from the dangers of substance use.
Students were welcomed into the Roy Reese Auditorium at Goshen High School with applause by district administrators, local law enforcement, members of ADAC and the Gladiator mascot. They then listened to an inspiring presentation by Frankie Wright, a prevention specialist and speaker who has shared his recovery story with students from more than 40 high schools. Wright’s message resonated deeply with attendees as he emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma around addiction and seeking support.
“You’re going to see in my story that something repeats,” said Wright. “When life gets hard, I don’t deal. I check out.” He challenged students to find a healthy way to handle life’s hardships such as confiding in a trusted friend or counselor and seeking support. “It’s more than drugs and alcohol; it’s what goes on in here,” he continued, pointing to his chest. “I was 16 and I didn’t know how to deal — and I didn’t want to.”
Following the presentation, students participated in small group activities designed to reinforce the message of positivity and inclusion. They created positive affirmation bags, wrote uplifting messages with sidewalk chalk, and painted rocks adorned with words of encouragement and acceptance. These hands-on activities foster a sense of community and empower students to spread kindness throughout their schools.
About Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 as a tribute to Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a young DEA agent who was tragically kidnapped and killed by drug traffickers in Mexico.
In response to his death, Camarena’s family and community launched a grassroots campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to honor his sacrifice. They started wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to living drug-free and to promoting prevention. Now held nationwide every October, Red Ribbon Week is the largest drug prevention campaign in the United States, encouraging communities, schools, and families to unite in promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles through education, events, and advocacy. For more information, visit the Red Ribbon Week website.
If you or your loved one is in need of support, please contact your child’s school counselor and/or visit the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council (ADAC) of Orange County website.
