This week, January 22-28, marks the eighth annual National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW). Launched in 2010, the weeklong observance strives to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about the short- and long-term dangers of drug and alcohol abuse by using science-based facts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA.)

To coordinate the effort, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) will join NIDA.

“By giving teens scientific facts and answering their questions, we’re equipping them to make smart decisions,” NIDA Deputy Director Dr. Wilson Compton, said in a statement.

More than 2,000 NDAFW events across the country and internationally are expected to be held. NIDA will also host its annual National Drugs & Alcohol Chat Day where hundreds of high school students participate in a live online chat with NIH scientists. Past chat-day questions have included:

• Are e-cigarettes healthier than regular cigarettes?
• Is marijuana really addictive?
• Can over-the-counter drugs be as bad as illegal drugs?
• How does alcohol affect the brain?

In addition, NIDA has a wide-range of resources and tools on its website, including the popular National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge, which is accessible on mobile devices and include videos of scientists answering the IQ Challenge questions to better illustrate the answers. The hope is that by taking the quiz, teens can better understand the risks and side effects of substance abuse.

Other fun, interactive tools include the “I want to SHATTER THE MYTHS because…” pledge cards that you can print and share with a photo on twitter and Facebook and the downloadable NDAFW Bingo game.

Find Out About Our Family Interventions
At Seabrook ®, we work with you to construct the intervention with your loved one in a supportive, empathic way for all involved. Our highly qualified and certified family interventionists can help you deal with your unique situation. To learn more, call today: (888) 223-0298.