On Oct. 17, 1988, members of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of Doris Steward.
During that meeting of the Seymour sorority, Steward conducted a program about accessories in the home and how they reflect one’s hobbies and what one considers important in life.
Members of the group also took the time to complete a community service project directed by Elsie McCormick. That project involved measuring, cutting and pinning 750 red ribbons for Jackson County Substance Abuse Task Force’s first Red Ribbon Week, which was Oct. 23 to 30 that year.
Three days later, 54 members of Seymour Senior Citizens and one guest came to a meeting armed with scissors to cut and prepare 2,800 red ribbons for the same purpose.
Other groups in the community also would make red ribbons during their meetings so by the time Red Ribbon Week rolled around, more than 10,000 red ribbons had been made and distributed throughout the community. The theme for the week was “Happy to be Drug-Free in Jackson County.”
The Red Ribbon Week campaign was started nationally in 1985 to raise awareness of the death and destruction caused by drugs.
It now serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
A few things have changed since that first Red Ribbon Week here, including the name of the Jackson County Substance Abuse Task Force. It’s now known as the Jackson County Drug-Free Council.
The purpose of Red Ribbon Week, however, remains the same today: Sharing information, engaging in activities, educating and reducing risk while enhancing protection in the community.
They’re still making red ribbons in Jackson County in preparation for Red Ribbon Week, which begins Tuesday and ends Oct. 31, but you also can find red ribbons painted on storefronts in downtown Seymour thanks to the skills of nearly 60 students from Seymour and Trinity Lutheran high schools.
The Jackson County Public Library also plans to take a stand against drugs during Red Ribbon Week by offering a drop-in craft in the Kids Korner at the Seymour Library and the Crothersville and Medora libraries. Next week, people also can stop by the library and pick up a red ribbon to wear.
Also this year, with the support of a grant from the Community Foundation of Jackson County, tips have been created to share with parents. Each school system has its own themed days developed, and countywide, there will be banners for each school.
Thanks to a donation of more than $1,300 in memory of Judy O. Smith, a former drug-free council member, the library now has many new addiction and recovery resources in the collections at all three libraries.
You also can see ribbons on banners throughout the county along with this year’s theme, “Life Is Your Journey, Travel Drug-Free.”
An effort to expand Red Ribbon Week to Red Ribbon Month with more activities aimed at reducing drug abuse continues to gain momentum.
That effort certainly couldn’t hurt considering many of the same drug abuse issues present when Red Ribbon Week was first organized in 1985 still are with us.
In fact, the opioid epidemic has led to a dramatic increase in overdoses and drug-related deaths in Jackson County and around the state, including that of teenagers and young adults.
The epidemic, which knows no geographic, social, economic or race boundaries, is costly, especially for the loved ones of those who are abusing drugs and even dying because of their addiction.
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What: GET LOUD NOW, an event to culminate Red Ribbon Week
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27
Where: Crossroad Community Park in downtown Seymour
A family-friendly event to encourage Jackson County residents to rally together to celebrate a drug free community. Door prizes will be given away with free music and hope. Food available for purchase.
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Oct. 23 through 31 is National Red Ribbon Week.
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