chasing the dragon

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- This year's Red Ribbon Week theme will help amplify the campaign's mission to encourage children, families, and communities to live healthy, happy, and drug-free lives. Red Ribbon week also focuses on helping all Arkansas communities to create strong and positive support systems for people struggling with drug addiction.

Over the last five years, schools have held showings of the “Chasing the Dragon” documentary. Developed by DEA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), this powerful documentary shows the harmful, long-term effects of drug use on not just those who are addicted to opioids but also on their family, friends, and community.  

This year, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is excited to join the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI Little Rock Field Office, and Office of Arkansas Drug Director to launch a new local documentary created in partnership with Arkansas PBS. This new documentary will highlight the reality of drug use here in the Natural State and can assist you in bringing the critical conversation about drug use to the local level at your schools. Schools can choose which video they show, but we encourage you to participate in Opioid Awareness Day by hosting a viewing of either documentary as appropriate for students.

There are many helpful resources on the Arkansas PBS website for local and national information as it relates to Red Ribbon Week. Click here to view the full list of resources.