National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

It’s National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week. This week serves to educate many about drug and alcohol facts.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week links students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol. Teens primarily get their information from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) scientists launched this program in 2010 to stimulate educational events in communities. In this format, teens learn what science knows about drug use and addiction.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner starting in 2016. For this reason, alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health.

The content of this blog comes from addictioncenter.com;drugabuse.gov.

The Facts About Drug and Alcohol Use

Over 20 million Americans over the age of 12 have an addiction (excluding tobacco)

100 people die every day from drug overdoses. This rate has tripled in the past 20 years.

Over 5 million emergency room visits in 2011 were drug related.

2.6 million people with addictions have a dependence on both alcohol and illicit drugs.

9.4 million people in 2011 reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs.

6.8 million people with an addiction have a mental illness.

Rates of illicit drug use is highest among those aged 18 to 25.

Over 90% of those with an addiction began drinking, smoking or using illicit drugs before the age of 18.

Binge drinking is more common in men; 9.1% of men 12 and older reported heavy drinking 5 or more days in a month

2.6% of women reported this.

Over 11% of Americans have driven under the influence.

Out of 16.6 million people with alcoholism, 2.6 million were also dependent on an illicit substance.

It is estimated that over 95% of those who need treatment for alcoholism do not feel they need treatment.

More people receive treatment for alcohol than any other substance.

The color red represents substance abuse. To support this cause, wear red pins, wristbands and fabric ribbons to raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction.

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