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Healthy Choices teens take part in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Weeks

Group joins teens across the U.S. in week-long effort to SHATTER THE MYTHS on drugs and alcohol

Teenagers from Malta High School reACT! have joined forces with other teens and scientists across the United States as part of “National Drug and 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 22 through Sunday, January 28. 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, MHS reACT! students are announcing drug and alcohol trivia facts each day at Malta High School and playing NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Bingo in the Teen Center at Malta Boys & Girls Club.

More than half of high school seniors across the country report using alcohol, and about 14.3 percent report using an illegal drug sometime in the past year. 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.

According to the most recent data available from the 2015 Phillips County High Schools Youth Risk Behavior Surveys:

• Tobacco Use – Past 30 day current cigarette smokers = 13.1%; Past 30 day current smokeless tobacco users = 12.3%; Past 30 day current vape or e-cigarette users = 29.5%

• Alcohol Use - Past 30 day use of alcohol, at least 1 drink = 34.1%; Binge Drinkers (5 or more drinks in a row within a 2 hour time frame) = 20.54%; Obtained alcohol from someone else or a secondhand buyer = 21.62%

• Marijuana Use – Past 30 day use current smokers = 14.29%

• Prescription Drug Use – Past 30 day current use without a Doctor’s prescription = 10.62%

• Illegal Drug Use – Ever used or tried during their lifetime: Any form of Cocaine = 4.42%; Inhalants = 6.19%; Heroin = 6.57%; Methamphetamines = 1.79%; MDMA (Ecstasy) = 2.68%; Synthetic Marijuana (K2, Spice, etc.) = 6.25%

“We want teens to have the opportunity to learn what science has taught us about drug abuse, alcohol, and addiction,” said Prevention Specialist, Sonia Young. There are so many myths about drugs and alcohol cluttering our popular culture. National Drug and 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. Everyone is encouraged to check out National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week Trivia on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PCCoalitionforHealthyChoices. See how much you know by taking the National Drug and Alcohol Facts I.Q. Challenge.

 

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