The California Highway Patrol recognizes Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31, as an opportunity for families to have lifesaving conversations with their children about drug use.

The Red Ribbon Campaign, organized by the National Family Partnership, is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation.

The CHP will be supporting efforts in California schools during Red Ribbon Week to discourage illegal drug use.

“Children whose parents talked to them regularly about the dangers of illegal drugs are far less likely to use drugs than those who do not, yet only about a quarter of teens report having these conversations,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said in press release. “Despite all the outside influences on our young people today, their families’ messages are still crucial.”

The three most widely used drugs by youth and adults are alcohol, prescription drugs, and marijuana.