National Alcohol Awareness Month aims to promote responsible choices

Every April, communities across the United States come together to observe National Alcohol Awareness Month. Founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) and launched in 1987, this month-long initiative aims to reduce the stigma surrounding alcoholism while providing relevant details about alcohol, alcoholism and recovery. As we start one other Alcohol Awareness Month, it’s critical to understand its purpose and importance in addressing one of the common public health issues within the African American community.

The important goal of National Alcohol Awareness Month is to educate the American public in regards to the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, promote responsible drinking habits and support people scuffling with alcohol addiction on their path to recovery.

Responibility.Org, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating drinking and driving and dealing with others to end all drinking and driving, eliminate underage drinking, and empower adults to make responsible drinking choices throughout their life. life, is on the forefront of encouraging Americans to examine our relationship with alcohol.

The findings show that binge drinking amongst African Americans (23%) is barely less common than amongst Latinos (24.6%) and Caucasians (25.7%). The rate of excessive alcohol consumption amongst African Americans (4.3%) is way lower than the final population (6.1%) and Caucasians (7.2%). Even though binge drinking is less common, more negative social consequences of drinking are reported, including more alcohol-related illnesses and injuries.

BLACK ENTERPRISES I spoke with Responsibility.org about educational resources empowering our community to make smart choices about alcohol and make progress.

Responsible drinking choices

One of the important goals of Alcohol Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of alcoholism on individuals, families and communities. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), in 2019, roughly 14.5 million adults within the United States aged 18 and older suffered from alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Executive Director for Responsibility.org Leslie Kimball says: “We always remind parents that it’s not over yet and offer some ways to reduce the risks associated with drinking alcohol when their school-age child is away from home. And not just during spring break!”

Another key goal of Alcohol Awareness Month is to promote responsible drinking behavior and forestall underage drinking. The influence of alcohol marketing, peer pressure and social norms can contribute to underage drinking, which might have serious consequences for young people’s physical and mental health, academic performance and future opportunities.

“It is important to discuss the differences between low-risk and high-risk drinking and for parents to remind their children that underage drinking is a risky and illegal behavior,” Kimball emphasizes.

By providing parents, educators and young individuals with information in regards to the risks of underage drinking and prevention strategies, this initiative aims to create a safer and healthier environment for young people.

Education starts early

Throughout April, communities across the country are participating in a wide range of events and activities designed to raise awareness of alcoholism and promote positive change. From educational workshops and seminars to community rallies and fundraising events, Alcohol Awareness Month provides opportunities for people and organizations to come together in solidarity and support.

According to national surveyalcohol use and abuse might not be as common amongst African-American highschool and college students, but once drinking occurs, adolescent females and African-Americans are more likely to develop excessive drinking and alcohol-related problems. These risk aspects indicate that special focus needs to be placed on these students as young as 10 years of age.

“Checking by trusted adults should occur regularly so that children feel safe, seen and supported,” notes Kimball.

Responsibility.org supports responsibility through a checklist of teaching points, including reasons to say NO resembling values, expectations and goals, practicing refusal strategies, having an exit strategy, all the time using the “friend system” and never driving inebriated or alcohol, and never get right into a vehicle with someone who’s intoxicated or inebriated.

Kimball says: “It’s encouraging that not everyone drinks, and underage drinking is at an all-time low.”

Awareness requires cooperation

Responsibility.org works with a wide range of offices and individuals at colleges and universities, including university counseling centers, student conduct offices, latest student orientation directors, fraternity and sorority organizations, and health promotion offices, to help institutions incorporate Alcohol101+ into their campuses: extensive activities to prevent alcohol abuse. Alcohol101+ is a free program that educates students about alcohol and its effects on the body, teaches responsible decision-making, and teaches about blood alcohol content and standard drink sizes.

Kimball mentions, “Since relaunching in 2021, Alcohol101+ has been used in over 120 colleges, universities, and fraternities and sororities, and over 15,000 students have completed the course.”

Based on recent program evaluations, students who complete the Alkohol101+ program say they feel empowered to make responsible choices about alcohol and are less likely to engage in harmful drinking.

“Whether a university is using the program as a preventive tool or in response to alcohol-related incidents on campus, we work closely with them to ensure they can use the program in a way that meets the individual needs of their campus,” states Kimballa .

National Alcohol Awareness Month is a reminder that through education, advocacy and community engagement we create healthier, more supportive communities for people and families so we are able to proceed to reduce underage drinking and promote responsible behavior amongst adults.