R 171751Z JUL 25 MARADMIN 334/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC MRA MF WASHINGTON DC// SUBJ/23-31 OCTOBER 2025 NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY CAMPAIGN// REF/A/LTR/USD P&R/YMD:20241218// AMPN/REF A IS USD P&R MEMO FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP COMMANDERS OF THE COMBAT COMMANDS DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS.// POC/MILTON YOUNG III/GS-13/UNIT:  MFCP-1/-/TEL:  703-784-9129/ EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN provides information for the 2025 Red Ribbon Week Campaign, 23-31 October 2025 and the Prescription Drug Take Back Day on 25 October 2025. 2.  Red Ribbon Week Campaign 2.a.  Each year our nation celebrates Red Ribbon Week, a national voluntary effort to increase awareness of the consequences of illicit and prohibited drug use and the need for prevention efforts. Red Ribbon Week is inspired by the service and sacrifice of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent and prior-service Marine, Enrique S. Camarena, who was tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in 1985.  His ultimate sacrifice for our nation continues to serve as a reminder to fight the war on drugs. 2.b.  The 2025 Red Ribbon Week theme is “Life is a Puzzle.  Solve it Drug Free.”  The week is observed by distributing red ribbons during the last seven days of October.  Marine Corps awareness and prevention activities are encouraged throughout the 2025 Red Ribbon Week.  Examples include providing resource information and infographics, publishing articles and events of interest in local media, and allowing Marines and their families to participate in appropriate observances supporting Red Ribbon Week.  Civilian personnel are also encouraged to participate in community activities. 2.c.  Commands can obtain further information from the National Family Partnership by calling (305)856-4886, and their installation’s Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator (DDRC). 2.d.  Red Ribbon Week efforts can enhance suicide prevention as well.  Each year, about half of all suicide attempts in the Marine Corps involve overdose, and the methods used to reduce access to illicit drugs can reduce risk of suicide attempt by overdose.  Let us create an atmosphere that reduces stigma, promotes lethal means safety, and encourages help-seeking behaviors, while having honest conversations with our Marines and Sailors.  Suicide prevention resources can be found on the Marine Corps Community Services website at https://www.usmc-mccs.org/protect. 3.  National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Campaign 3.a.  This campaign aims to provide a safe, reasonable way to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential misuse of medications. 3.b.  Benefits of proper disposal of prescription drugs include avoiding inadvertent consumption by youth, deterring misuse by teens and adults, reducing access to lethal means, and preventing medications from entering the water supply through improper disposal. 3.c.  Substance Assessment and Counseling Program (SACP) directors and DDRCs are encouraged to support this year’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day, field questions, and provide individuals with information regarding the dangers of prescription drug misuse. SACP directors and DDRCs are also encouraged to partner with their local Provost Marshal’s Office to support local events such as collection points for Marines, family members, civilian employees, and retirees to anonymously and safely turn in unused, unneeded, and/or expired prescription medications for disposal. 3.d.  Additional information on national collection sites can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website,  https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/ takeback/takeback.html. 4.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the active component, members of the Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Marines on active-duty operational support orders, their family members and, when authorized by law, other populations such as civilian personnel. 5.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//