During the week of October 15-23, 2011, the Manhasset SCA and CASA invited the community to take a visible stand against youth substance abuse by celebrating Red Ribbon Week.  “Red Ribbon Week gives us the opportunity to be vocal and visible in our efforts to achieve a drug-free community,” said Lisbeth Shibley, Executive Director and President Manhasset CASA. “Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.”

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The week was celebrated with a kick off on Saturday, October 15th at Manhasset High School with CASA's 2nd Annual Pharmaceutical Take-Back Event in collaboration with the Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County Police, Manhasset Public Schools, Manhasset SCA and the Manhasset High School Green Club. Manhasset CASA also collaborated with the National Family Partnership's Lock Your Meds Be Aware Don't Share Prescription Drug Misuse Educational Campaign to provide parents and residents with hands on information regarding the dangers of prescription drugs.

Thanks to the students of the Manhasset High School Green Club, residents were provided hands on educational brochures regarding the dangers of prescription drugs along with how they can help our environment.

Under the direction of Ms. Caitlin Finley, the Manhasset Middle School SADD Club members promoted the theme “Above the Influence” with fellow students.  Above the Influence (ATI) is a national campaign created and implemented by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  ATI informs and inspires teens to be more aware of how drugs and alcohol influence their lives so that they can stand up to its negative pressures and influences.

SADD members ran a "Tag It" contest asking fellow students to label how/what makes them Above the Influence of drugs and alcohol. Green Club Volunteers also decorated the Manhasset Middle/High School grounds with red ribbons in celebration of the week and approached local businesses to post red ribbons in the storefront windows support the community's substance abuse prevention message.

Student education activities focused on the theme "Its Up to Me to Be Drug Free" and featured Kim Fanter, The Great Body Shop discussing personal responsibility and decision making. Parent education highlited curriculum based concepts regarding The Four Critical Needs that our children require to grow up healthy and resilient. Bilingual programming was featured at the Great Neck/Manhasset EOC and Ginger Katz, The Courage To Speak Foundation presented at the Manhasset High School in an effort to foster open communication about the prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse among young people.

Working with volunteers with the Manhasset SCA, students were assigned the letter M, E or a Ribbon and asked to decorate their item to display the healthy things they do, eat or what makes them special! Volunteers distributed red ribbons to parents to decorate the outside of their homes and were provided with hands on parent education materials reinforcing the importance of communication, healthy choices and education when it comes to underage drinking, drugs and other harmful substances.

Red Ribbon Week is our nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention and awareness program.  The red ribbon symbolizes a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities. In 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena was killed by drug traffickers. Shortly after Camarena's death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice. Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988.