Red Ribbon Week Lesson Plans

"Natural High really is the best anti-drug material I've seen in almost 30 years of education."
- Middle School Counselor, Virginia

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Easy To Use

5 days of short lesson plans for educators to use during Red Ribbon Week.

Inspiring Influencers

Stories told by influencers and athletes who kids admire and trust.

Discussion Guides

Discussion questions and activities paired with each video.

Free Curriculum

Educators and students love our free content year-round.

What Teachers Say About Natural High's Red Ribbon Week Content

I absolutely love the Natural High series and use it for my 5th and 6th grades during the month of October. My 6th grade teachers enjoyed it so much, and the kids absolutely love them.  It has been an integral part of drug awareness and trying to make a life-long impact on our students.

Cheryl, School Counselor

We showed several of your videos during RRW to our middle school students.  We received a lot of positive responses from teachers and students. I have been showing your videos for 15 years. I appreciate everything you have done to promote a drug free lifestyle to students.

Tim, School Counselor

Natural High was a great resource for our Red Ribbon Week. We had our students watch the videos and then held a contest where students showed or explained their ‘natural high”. I liked having the week focus on positive choices, and it was Natural High that inspired our school.

Robyn, Teacher, Kentucky

Thanks again for the valuable resources. I’ll be using them throughout the year because my students enjoyed the Red Ribbon Week videos so much. Glad to partner with Natural High to make a positive impact on our children!

Christina, Reading Specialist Educator

This program is better than any drug use prevention program that I have seen in 32 years of teaching. Thank you!

Health Teacher, Pennsylvania

The videos are thought-provoking and the activities that accompany them help kids think about their strengths and purpose. I have used Natural High videos in my drug prevention curriculum at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for many years. Kids I shared it with in elementary school remember and share it at the high school level, so I know it makes a positive impact… I am forever thankful to have this resource.

Karen, Teacher, Kentucky

Natural High videos encourage our students to share their experiences and have powerful class discussions about the negative impact drugs and alcohol can have in reaching their personal and career goals.

Middle School Counselor, Virginia

I’ve been a school counselor for 13 years, and this is the first time I have shown a video that captured every student’s attention… It also captured the attention of the teachers, who had planned on getting paperwork done.

Counselor, River Springs Middle School, Florida

I have utilized this resource for over a decade both professionally as a school counselor and personally as a parent. The NH content, statistics, and videos are relevant and engaging for multiple ages and levels. Helping youth explore their Natural High and pursue their fullest potential are key to prevention and cessation.

Angie, Parent and Counselor, Alabama

Awards and Recognition

Natural High RRW Outstanding Prevention Program Award

Outstanding Prevention Program Award

Natural High Outstanding Prevention Award

Outstanding Prevention Award

Natural High Outstanding Prevention Program Award

Outstanding Prevention Program Award

Natural High’s Red Ribbon Lesson Plans & Video Playlist Includes:

Easy-to-use series of 5 inspirational influencer videos paired with discussion questions and
activities for your classroom. Our curriculum is designed for 4th – 12th grade students.

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Real Results

83%

of educators report a change in their students’ perception about drugs and alcohol after going through the Natural High  program.

83%

of youth participating in the program reported that having a natural high will help fight the temptation to use drugs or alcohol.

43,000

There are 43,000 educators in Natural High’s network across the U.S. and growing.

40+ We’ve recruited over 40 celebrity storytellers who tell powerful stories of transformation.

80,000 80,000 people have directly pledged to live naturally high.

Millions Millions of lives transformed. Still lots of work to do. That’s why we need your support

FEATURED CONTENT:
FENTANYL SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM

This is the critical conversation right now. Last year 100K+ people died from drug overdoses driven by fentanyl, and the fastest growing group is under 19.

We recommend 6-12th graders watch this 6-minute documentary film produced by Natural High on the dangers of fentanyl.

Fentanyl Vid

What Teachers Say About Natural High's Fentanyl Short Film

We did the fentanyl lesson last week in 7th grade health.  We were able to have great class discussions about the video.  Thank you for all your materials!  I have referred to your materials many times over the course of several years for my drug and alcohol unit in health class.

Amanda, Health Teacher

I recently shared their documentary – Dead On Arrival with my 5th and 6th grade students and sent out a message to our middle school and high school staff, students and families. It is powerful, relevant, and life saving.

Middle School Counselor, Virginia

I have been searching for videos to show teens for years. This is beyond impressive – I showed my two teenage kids and they shared it with their friends. It really got to them. Real facts and with emotion. I am beyond grateful to you. Keep them coming – you are saving lives! Thank you.

Macarena, Parent

We had a productive talk, watched the video, and talked a bit more.  My son (age 13) was engaged in the video and we stopped it a few times to discuss and explain different things. It was also really helpful to my husband and I in educating us on fentanyl and teen drug use. The Natural High website is an excellent resource that we will continue to go back to in order to keep the conversation going!

Shawn, Parent

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red ribbon week ideas

Who We Are

Natural High is a substance abuse prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well.

Our evidence-backed program is used in all 50 states and makes use of current scientific findings on youth behavior, brain development, social norming, and substance abuse prevention. The latest scientific research speaks to the power of positive example, of engaging influencers to create change in culture, and of course — the power of the natural high. This research shows that when young people find their true passions — those activities that uplift, motivate, and inspire them — and are supported in these choices by family, friends, school, and community, they are more likely to avoid drugs and alcohol. Natural High has dozens of Red Ribbon Week ideas for drug-free week and throughout the year.

FAQs

  • 1 What is Red Ribbon Week?

    Red Ribbon Week is a time for schools across the country to engage students in critical dialogues about the importance of making positive life choices and avoiding drug and alcohol use.

    The Red Ribbon Week Campaign was created to honor Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. He was a special agent who worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In 1985, he was kidnapped by drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico. His murder and death brought anger to the community and was a catalyst for the Red Ribbon Campaign. In 1988, the National Family Partnership coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week.

    Together in Kiki’s honor, parents and youth in communities nationwide began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness around his killing and the destruction caused by drugs in America. Read more about Red Ribbon Week here.

  • 2 When is Red Ribbon Week?

    Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23-31. This doesn’t always fall on a Monday through Friday so some schools and communities choose the M-F week before or after.

  • 3 What Can Parents Do To Participate In Red Ribbon Week?

    Kids aren’t just using illegal drugs, they are taking prescription medications found in the home. Teen prescription drug misuse is on the rise, so we need to educate them about this and help them build the skills to avoid drug and alcohol use.

    One of the most influential factors during a child’s adolescence is maintaining a strong, open relationship with a parent or caregiver. When parents create supportive and nurturing environments, children make better decisions. Providing opportunities for open discussion at school will provide opportunities for discussion at home, too.

  • 4 What Are Natural High's Red Ribbon Week Lesson Plans?

    Each year, Natural High creates new Red Ribbon Week lesson plans and video playlist. We have 5 days of lesson plans that include: an inspiring Natural High Storyteller video, discussion questions, and an activity. Learn more about our program and Storytellers (influencers and athletes) here.

  • 5 What Grades Are Natural High's Red Ribbon Week Lesson Plans For?

    Natural High’s Red Ribbon lesson plans are designed for grades 4-12. We also hear educators use our Red Ribbon Week lesson plans for younger elementary students, too. If you're planning to use our content for younger students, we suggest you watch our videos first to find the ones that you think your students will relate to best.

  • 6 Is There A Drug-Free Pledge For Students?

    Yes, you can have students take the drug free pledge online or download the printable pledge here.