Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) celebrates and supports the annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW®), along with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The weeklong observance, held March 22 – March 28, 2021, is designed to bring teens and scientific experts together to discuss the scientific facts about drugs, as well as potential health effects on teen bodies and brains.
During the week, students are able to participate in programs hosted virtually by community providers to “Shatter the Myths” and counteract the falsehoods about drugs and alcohol teens may receive from the internet, social media, television, movies, music or from friends. Launched in 2010 by scientists at the NIDA, the week was created to stimulate educational events in communities, so teens can learn what science has taught about drug use and addiction.
“National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week gives an opportunity to encourage teens around the country to ask their most wanted questions about drugs, alcohol and its addictive effects,” said ADMH Prevention Services Director, Beverly Johnson. “In addition, we also provide resources on how to help friends or a family member that may have a substance use disorder.”
Currently, ADMH has 22 Certified Prevention Providers that offer prevention activities aligned with the Centers for Substance Abuse and Prevention strategies, including Alternative, Community-Based Process, Education, Environmental, Information Dissemination and Problem Identification and Referral. Through these strategies, many providers implement and participate in prescription drug takeback events, health fairs, media campaigns and various other national observance activities.
Join ADMH and help teens get the facts about drugs and alcohol. ADMH’s Office of Prevention will host the following activities during NDAW:
For more information about the listed events coordinated by the Office of Prevention, contact Satavia Mann at 334-353-7372. More resources can be found at Resources to Help Your Patients with SUD During the COVID-19 Pandemic | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
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