Substance Abuse Prevention Awareness

Arlington County Public Schools is committed to providing a healthy and substance-free learning environment. The School Board bans the use of prohibited substances on school property, walking to and from school, on buses, at off-campus lunches, and at school events.

Prohibited substance may include, but are not limited to:

• Prescription pills.
• Over-the-Counter Medication such as Tylenol and Allergy Medicine.
• Vitamins
• Vapes and E-Cigarettes.
• Edible
• Marijuana
• Alcohol

This information is detailed in the APS Prohibited Substance Policy.

In addition to the enforcing the policy, Arlington County Public Schools offer activities and strategies to encourage healthy development and educate students about the dangers of illegal drugs, alcohol, and the misuse of legal substances. We also provide substance abuse prevention counseling and referral services for secondary students who have substance-related concerns.

Second Chance Arlington is a program designed to educate middle and high school students in Arlington about restorative justice. It focuses on helping them steer clear of alcohol, drugs, and other illegal substances. This program is not a form of treatment, counseling, or therapy. It’s most beneficial for students showing early signs of substance use. The program is free for all Arlington County middle and high school students.

Students can be referred by parents or guardians who are worried about potential substance use. Arlington Public Schools (APS) may refer students caught under the influence or in possession of illegal substances as an alternative to suspension. The Arlington Juvenile Courts can also refer students instead of court involvement. Additionally, students have the option to self-refer. Participation is confidential and counts as an excused school absence.

Second Chance Arlington is a community collaboration involving students, parents, school administrators, police, the juvenile justice system, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and non-profit partners. It is run by the Arlington Foundation for Families and Youth.

Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America.

Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. “I’m only one person”, he told her, “but I want to make a difference.”

On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena’s body was found. He had been tortured to death.

In honor of Camarena’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena’s memory, the red ribbon.

In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration, which is celebrated from October 23-31 each year. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families. The National Family Partnership (NFP) and its network of individuals and organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Campaign®.

Learn more about the Red Ribbon Campaign ®. Download the Factsheet.