ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: KEEP ALCOHOL AWAY FROM KIDS - APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

April 13, 2023 (San Diego) - There is a downward trend in the number of young people who use alcohol, according to national figures, but alcohol remains the number one drug of choice for America’s youth. And it is more likely to kill young people than all the illegal drugs combined. Ten percent of the 11th graders in San Diego County reported binge drinking in the past 30 days when asked in a survey. That’s higher than the statewide result of 4 percent. One out of every 13 in the county reported being drunk or high at school in the same period. These numbers may seem alarming, but they are on a downward trend. That’s according to the San Diego County Binge and Underage Drinking Initiative’s (BUDI) 2023 Status Report.

“We have been seeing steady declines in alcohol consumption among youth overall nationwide,” BUDI Program Manager Craig Reed said. “That’s good news and It’s encouraging, but we have work to do.”

April marks National Alcohol Awareness Month and is sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to educate the masses about America’s number one health problem: alcohol dependence. Claiming the lives of more than 90,000 people every year, themonth focuses on raising awareness about alcohol abuse and dependency before it is fatal. It all started in 1987. Marty Mann founded NCADD as one of the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous and the first woman to have successfully gone through a 12-step group. The idea was to bring about a nationwide change by using communication tools to cultivate awareness about binge drinking and how much more dangerous it can be than just a fun night. Now, the Council aims to draw attention to the causes of alcoholism and the risks of alcohol dependence, and encourages people to talk about the disease.

This year’s theme is "For the Health of It: Early Education on Alcoholism and Addiction.” NCADD has several helpful resources on its website. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s underage drinking prevention campaign, “Talk. They Hear You" as talking points and tools for parents and caregivers so they can start talking to their children early—as early as 9 years old—about the dangers of alcohol.

Teens and Alcohol: A Bad Mix is a video that highlights research on underage drinking and includes steps that communities can take to tackle the problem. Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people yearly, more than all illegal drugs combined. By making people more aware of the situation and the viable solutions, alcohol awareness month addresses reducing the pain and suffering alcohol abuse causes to people's lives.

Just so we’re clear on what constitutes a drink, it’s a 12-ounce beer of about 5% alcohol, a 5-ounce glass of wine of about 12% alcohol or a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof distilled spirits made up of 40% alcohol. That means a 16-ounce glass of craft beer that’s 10% alcohol is not considered having one beer. You can’t drink a bottle of wine and say you had only one drink. A mixed drink consisting of 3 ounces of 100-proof liquor is not one cocktail. Do the math. It doesn’t take much to go from being a social drinker who has a couple, to binging and going on a bender. Binge drinking is bad. It can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, increases cancer risk, causes brain damage and even decreases brain development. When it comes to adults in San Diego County, 21% reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. That’s higher than the statewide figure of 18%.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control recognizes the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month every April due to the high number of alcohol-related deaths yearly in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 140,000 people die each year from excessive alcohol use. In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-related car crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Raising awareness is important in preventing alcohol-related deaths and traffic crashes,” ABC Director Eric Hirata said. “Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to talk about the dangers of alcohol misuse and promote safety on our roads.” ABC regulates the sale, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol in California. This month the department continues enforcing alcoholic beverage laws and providing education.

In 2019, 17% of high school students reported they drove with a driver who had been drinking in the U.S. In East County, the region was tied for the most alcohol-related deaths in 2020. The area did drop significantly to one of the lowest rates in 2021, according to statistics from the County Office of the Medical Examiner.

You can join the effort to lower youth alcohol-related deaths by raising awareness of available resources. Talk to your kids and family. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Have a conversation with coworkers, colleagues, teammates and schoolmates. Even a casual conversation while riding on public transportation or participating in public events can have an impact. It starts with a conversation. Even one death is one too many.

IPS works alongside communities to build power, challenge systems of inequity, protect health and improve quality of life. IPS has a vision for safe, secure, vibrant and healthy communities where everyone can thrive. To learnmore about IPS East County, follow us on our social media platforms: IPS East County Facebook, IPS East County Twitter, and East County Youth Coalition Instagram. Our website is at IPSEast.org. Resources and services are available to assist with screening, treatment, and recovery for individuals with a substance use disorder. The Access & Crisis line is open year-round, 24/7, at (888) 724-7240.