Niagara Universities Social Work Student Association (SWSA) hosted an event on Oct. 28, 2026, in honor of Red Ribbon Week. The was hosted to educate the campus on harm reduction, with an emphasis on drug awareness. The SWSA handed out free NARCAN and provided information on relevant community resources. The event was successful in creating a welcoming environment to learn about overdose prevention, recognize crisis situations, and understand safe response tactics.
Red Ribbon Week is the longest running annual drug and violence prevention campaign in the United States. It takes place from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31 each year. Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The movement was created in response to the death of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was taken and killed by drug traffickers, in 1985. The Red Ribbon movement began in his hometown of Calexico, California, and it gained national recognition over time.
This year’s SWSA event was led by students, Valerie Daun-Barnett and Hannah Fisher. Daun-Barnett, the SWSA president, said, “I found this event especially meaningful, and I am incredibly proud of our social media representative, Hannah, who coordinated the event’s activities, presentation, and educational resources. Students and staff participated in Halloween cookie decorating, bookmark bedazzling, and other activities while learning about resources such as Horizon Health Services, WNY 211, and the Erie County Office of Harm Reduction. The event also included information about New York’s Good Samaritan Law, which offers legal protections to individuals who seek emergency assistance during an overdose.”
Community resources that were included in the Red Ribbon event can be found below:
- Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
- Erie County Office of Harm Reduction
- Well Niagara
- WNY 211
- MATTERS
- Horizon Health Services
Niagara University’s Social Work program combines hands-on learning with commitment to social justice, preparing you to work impactful careers with integrity in diverse fields. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), we equip you with the skills to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
