Light & Unite Red Week 2026

What is Light and Unite Red Week?

Each year, partners across Milwaukee County join forces for Light and Unite Red Week to promote community-wide substance use prevention education and is in alignment with National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, from March 16-22. 

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is an annual observance to inspire dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It allows for students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help address youth drug and alcohol use in communities nationwide. 

This year's theme is MythBusters 

Don't believe everything you hear at school or online. Curiosity around substance use is normal, but make sure you're getting your information from reliable sources. RISE Drug Free MKE is here for you with information and resources on alcohol, marijuana, commercial tobacco, nicotine, prescription medication, and other drugs. 

Throughout the week, RISE Drug Free MKE, community organizations, and other allies will be debunking common myths about alcohol and other drug use through social media and in-person events.

Light & Unite Red 2026 Events

• Youth Mental Health First Aid

  Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who might be experiencing a mental health challenge or is in crisis.

  Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

  This training is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 18 and will be held at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee.

  Register Here

Light and Unite Red Week Shareables

Print, Fold, and Share with a Friend

Our MythBusters series of zines aims to debunk common misconceptions about alcohol and other drugs with facts and statistics that come from substance prevention professionals. 

Attend events this week to pick up your MythBusting zines or download a printable and foldable version right here. 

Alcohol | Marijuana | Commercial Tobacco + Nicotine | Prescription Medication

Light & Unite Red 2026 Resources

• Behind the Haze: Get the Facts About Vaping 
• Better Ways to Cope
• Campus Drug Prevention
• Community Advocates Mental Health and Wellness Resources
• Light & Unite Red on Facebook
• Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division
• National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week
• National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week
• Take Space to Pause
• Tobacco is Changing
• Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
• Youth.gov - Substance Abuse Prevention