Somerset County Celebrates Red Ribbon Week With Video Contest, Education, and a Pledge

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Municipal Alliance Network is holding multi-platform programming from October 23 to 31 to encourage people to live substance free as part of National Red Ribbon Week. The week of activities include educational programming at Somerset County libraries, two seminars on The Cannabis Hidden Link, a fun video contest, and the opportunity for residents to pledge to live substance free.

“Red Ribbon Week is not just about wearing a red ribbon, but about delving into the potential dangers of substance use and the ways to get help when it is needed,” said Commissioner Paul Drake, liaison to Somerset County Human Services. “We are working hard to provide information in a number of different ways and to encourage young people to express themselves creatively to ensure the message of Red Ribbon Week lasts all year ‘round.”

To launch Red Ribbon Week, Somerset County is hosting two sessions of “The Cannabis Hidden Link” about the natural progression of substance use from vaping to cannabis and opioids featuring keynote speaker William J. Lynch of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The three hour sessions will be held on Wednesday, October 23 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the first floor conference room of 27 Warren Street in Somerville, NJ. Registration is requested at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hidden-link-the-natural-progression-of-substance-use-tickets-1024302385007.

Residents are invited to visit any open Somerset County Library branch to discover materials and information on Red Ribbon Week, how to identify the dangers substance use, and find help if necessary. Visitors can sign a pledge to live substance free at each library, or visit https://webapps.co.somerset.nj.us/services/webdocs/redribbon.aspx to sign the pledge online.

As part of the theme, “Live Is a Movie. Film Drug Free” Somerset County is holding a contest for short videos about living drug free. Whether it’s a TikTok dance, an inspiring message recorded on a phone, or a short film the Somerset County Municipal Alliance Network encourages participants to express their voice for the world to hear. Videos should be thirty seconds to two minutes long, and promote drug prevention, healthy choices, and positive peer influence. Entries can be submitted until October 31 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSb7_42CugRZTvSrMMvvBBRERJWKOxgyLXmsguMLqX8XINUA/viewform

More information on Red Ribbon Week in Somerset County can be found at http://tinyurl.com/macredribbonweek2024 and https://www.redribbon.org/.

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