Businesses are making small, but impactful reminders for Red Ribbon Week which starts October 23 and runs until October 31.
Buffalo schools will keep Red Ribbon Week going all year long using the theme "be kind to your mind", teaming up with a prevention specialist.
Students will be getting the information that they need to help learn the skills on making safe and healthy choices when it comes to saying "no" to drugs.
New tempting substances like vaping has become one of the biggest problems says Maryvale Intermediate School Prevention Specialist, Lori Brown.
"The companies that target our children, they're interested in money, they're interested in dollars. We are interested in our children making good choices," Brown said.
Businesses and organizations can help raise awareness by wearing red, putting up yard signs and lighting up buildings and landscapes. Some of the participants in lighting up red include Niagara Falls and the peace bridge.
Schools and other organizations are helping to educate the community about drug-abuse awareness for children and adults.
Red ribbon week started in honor of an undercover drug enforcement administration agent, Enrique Camarena, who was killed in 1985 during a drug investigation in Mexico. Residents in his California community wore red ribbons in his honor. The National Family Partnership then adopted the red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to stop illegal drug use.
You can find the full list of Red Ribbon Week activities here.