Featured Video: Alcoholism Awareness 2016

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Underage Drinking Awareness: N.J. Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Drinking Habits Self-Quiz · NJ 211.org · New Jersey Prevention Network

The theme of the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Alcohol Awareness Month for 2016 is Talk Early, Talk Often: Parents Can Make a Difference in Teen Alcohol Use.

The 90-second version of this video is available here.

Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous — both to themselves and to society, and is directly associated with traffic fatalities, violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol overdose, unsafe sex and other problem behaviors, even for those who may never develop a dependence or addiction.

Adolescence is a time of heightened risk-taking and as alcohol and drugs enter the picture, parents are faced with a unique set of challenges. They can simply sit back and hope their kids will “get through it,” or they can take an active role in learning about alcohol and drugs and helping their kids do the same.

It can be daunting to talk with children about drinking and drug use, but it is well worth the effort parents put into it. In fact, research has shown that kids who have conversations with their parents and learn a lot about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are 50% less likely to use these substances than those who don’t have such conversations.

“Alcohol and other use is a very risky business for young people,” says Andrew Pucher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, “and parents can make a difference. The longer children delay drinking and drug use, the less likely they are to develop any problems associated with it. That’s why it is so important to help your child make smart decisions about alcohol and other drugs.”

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