Our History

The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) has a 30-year history of providing community education and awareness, advocacy for prevention and treatment services, parent education and youth programming to prevent substance use by youth.

RAYSAC has been involved in implementing two signature community events: Red Ribbon Week celebrations since 1995, and DEA National Drug Take Back Day (in partnership with Western Virginia Water Authority) since 2010. Red Ribbon Week focuses on strategies to increase awareness and promote involvement in addressing safe and drug-free communities including: educating parents and civic leaders, encouraging participation of local businesses and supporting schools and youth in conducting substance abuse prevention activities. Red Ribbon Week also provides incentives to positively affect community norms by recognizing participants as they exhibit pro-social behavior to reduce underage drinking and drug use. National Drug Take Back Days are semi-annual events that give our community members an opportunity to dispose of medications safely and reduce opportunities for their misuse.  RAYSAC is a valley-wide coalition that reaches the cities of Roanoke and Salem and the counties of Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke in Virginia.