The Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) joined forces with other teens and scientists across the United States as part of “National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week” (NDAFW). The week-long health observance, organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), both part of the National Institutes of Health, takes place Monday, January 25th through Sunday, January 31st. NDAFW celebrates the inquisitive minds of teens by giving them a space (virtual or physical) to ask questions about drugs and alcohol and to get scientific answers from experts. As part of the NDAFW celebration, ASK will be participating in a virtual activity by sharing facts about drugs on social media all week long.
About a third of high school seniors across the country report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year, and more than ten percent report non-medical use of a narcotic painkiller. While drugs can put a teenager’s health and life in jeopardy, many teens are not aware of the risks. Even for those teens who do not abuse drugs, many have friends or family who do, and they are often looking for ways to help them.
“We want teens to have the opportunity to learn what science has taught us about drug abuse, alcohol, and addiction,” said Erica Stanzione, Director of Communications and Partnerships at AS. There are so many myths about drugs and alcohol cluttering our popular culture. National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is for teens to get honest answers about drugs so they can make good, informed decisions for themselves and share accurate information with friends.”
Be sure to follow the Alliance for Safe Kids on social media to be a part of the discussion and crush the myths about drugs:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/allianceforsafekids
Twitter: ASK_Yorktown
Instagram: ASK_Yorktown