Cathedral Prep supports Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually from Oct. 23-31. It is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program.

Prep students signed a banner that is hung in the hallway pledging to be drug free. Mr. Herbstritt, vice president of academic and student affairs, sent out emails each day of the week giving the students facts about what drugs can do and the statistics.

One of the emails Mr. Herbstritt sent out on Thursday of Red Ribbon Week stated that in 2019 37 percent of U.S. high school students reported lifetime use of marijuana and 22 percent reported use in the past 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks). Vaping of marijuana also remained steady in 2020 following large increases in 2018 and 2019. However, large percentages of middle and high school students reported marijuana vaping, including 8 percent of 8th graders, 19 percent of 10th graders, and 22 percent of 12th graders.

Mr. Herbstritt stated in Friday’s email that teens who use drugs have a 1 in 4 chance of developing an alcohol dependence when they become an adult. And around 90 percent of underage drinking is binge drinking.

With this Red Ribbon Week, one of the most educational programs about drug abuse in the country, they help spread awareness about what drugs can do to someone’s life, especially teenagers. It is very educational that Prep also brings awareness to this cause. If someone is struggling, Prep wants them to know they are not alone, and Prep can offer a helping hand.