Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during the period of October 23 through October 31, 2025.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 834
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-28: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-02T16:39:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 834) expresses support for the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, an annual campaign held from October 23 through October 31, 2025, aimed at promoting drug prevention education, awareness, and community involvement to foster drug-free lifestyles.
Key Provisions
- Background and Rationale (Preamble): Outlines the history of the Red Ribbon Campaign, started in 1988 by the National Family Partnership to honor Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent murdered in 1985 while fighting drug trafficking. It highlights the campaign's role as the longest-running drug prevention program in the U.S., involving governors, attorneys general, parent-teacher associations, Boys and Girls Clubs, Young Marines, the DEA, and other organizations. The preamble cites statistics on drug overdoses (e.g., over 80,000 deaths in 2024, leading cause of death for ages 18-45), emerging threats like fentanyl (over 48,000 deaths in 2024, 34 million fake pills seized in 2025), methamphetamine use (2.4 million people aged 12+ in 2024), and cocaine overdoses (over 20,000 in 2024). It also mentions DEA initiatives like "Every Day is Take Back Day" for safe drug disposal and the National Family Partnership's "Lock Your Meds" program.
- Actions by the House (Resolved Clause):
- Supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.
- Encourages U.S. residents to wear and display red ribbons as a symbol of commitment to drug-free living.
- Urges lighting up buildings and landmarks to spread a drug-free message.
- Promotes drug-free choices among children, teens, and others.
- Calls for efforts to build drug-free communities and participate in prevention activities, emphasizing healthy, productive lifestyles.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution and introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic expression of congressional support rather than enacting new policies or regulations.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases public awareness of drug dangers, particularly opioids like fentanyl, and encourages personal and community actions such as safe medication disposal and education programs, potentially reducing demand for illicit drugs and related overdoses or violence.
- On Government Agencies: Reinforces the DEA's role in drug prevention and enforcement (e.g., through exhibits like "The Faces of Fentanyl" and seizure efforts), but imposes no new mandates or funding requirements.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, though it indirectly supports U.S. efforts against drug trafficking, which often involves international elements.
- Broader Effects: Could inspire widespread participation in awareness events, benefiting public health by highlighting overdose risks and prevention tools, without enforceable obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals and Communities: Parents, youth (children and teens), schools, businesses, senior citizens, medical and military personnel, athletes, religious and faith-based groups, and service organizations, who are encouraged to participate in ribbon-wearing, lighting events, and prevention activities.
- Organizations: National Family Partnership (campaign originator), DEA (enforcement and education lead), state governors and attorneys general, parent-teacher associations, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Young Marines, and hundreds of other anti-drug groups.
- Law Enforcement and Public Health Entities: Police, DEA agents (noted for fentanyl hazards), and agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, whose data and initiatives are referenced.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no legal force and does not require presidential approval or Senate concurrence; it is purely declarative and cannot be challenged in court.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority to express policy positions under Article I, without infringing on individual rights or federal powers.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan (or at least House-wide) commitment to public health and anti-drug efforts, potentially boosting morale for prevention programs and signaling priority on issues like the fentanyl crisis. It may influence public opinion and encourage voluntary state or local actions but carries no binding political weight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-28: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-10-28: Submitted in House
- 2025-10-28: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during the period of October 23 through October 31, 2025. — issued 2025-10-28 — PDF (5 pages)