National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week runs from January 23rd to 29th. It is a program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to connect students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths and misinformation about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, television, movies, music, and their peers.
Part of this year’s activities include an online Drugs and Alcohol Chat Day on Thursday, January 26, from 7:00am until 5:00pm CST. Anyone will be able to view the live chat, but schools that have registered in advance and received an access code will be able to submit questions. In addition, approximately two weeks after the chat, a transcript will be posted allowing students and parents to see all of the questions and answers. Transcripts from the past nine years of chats are available now.
The National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week website is the coordinating hub for events going on around the country. On the website, you will find:
- A map of events planned around the country (clicking on the “I” below the map lets you find the 12 events currently scheduled in Illinois)
- An interactive quiz to test your drug and alcohol knowledge (in Spanish as well)
- Materials that can be ordered for free or downloaded as PDFs
- Activity ideas for events
- Resources and information for parents
- Resources and information for teens
- Resources and information for teachers
While alcohol, cigarette, and opioid use among teens has decreased in recent years, marijuana use remains steady and e-cigarette use is increasing. Make sure that both you and your teen understand the facts regarding drug and alcohol use by checking out the NIDA website together.
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