Red Ribbon Works Believes:

•  Substance abuse is a major contributing factor to societal problems.
•  The greatest concern of our communities should be to ensure all youth are educated, responsible, and healthy.
•  Parents are the most important influence in their children's lives.
•  The entire community is responsible for the well being of every child and youth.
•  One person can make a difference.
•  Prevention is the best way to keep kids off drugs.
•  Diverse cultures and values have benefit.

And Because of These Beliefs:
Red Ribbon Works established a parent-based community coalition, designed to get parents involved because they are the first line of defense in keeping kids off drugs. We make the community aware of the need to prevent and intervene on an ongoing basis. Like all parent-based community coalitions, we can create and implement programs and awareness activities where government agencies often can't. We give parents a voice and a means to keep up-to-date and involved in a culture which sometimes encourages the risky behaviors which often lead to drug use. We provide an independent forum for parents, teachers, and law enforcement, etc. to plan and network with one another. Opportunities abound when programs are established within the community. They are not someone else's children, they are our children. When we come together at the table, we do not have the built-in excuse that "This is happening because someone else is not doing their job". We are that someone.