OCCMHA Promotes National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

Oakland County, MI January 24, 2017 - Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) is helping promote the National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM” (NDAFW) teen focused celebration. NDAFW gives teens a space (virtual or physical) to ask questions about drugs and alcohol and to get scientific answers from experts. 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 23rd through Sunday, January 29th.

About one third of high school seniors across the country report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year, and more than 10% 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 misuse 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 misuse, alcohol, and addiction,” said Christina Nicholas, OCCMHA Administrator of Substance Use Services. “There are so many myths about drugs and alcohol cluttering our popular culture. National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM is for teens to get honest answers about drugs, so they can make good, informed decisions for themselves and share accurate information with friends.”

Looking at past month drug use among high school seniors, more than 5% misuse prescription drugs; more than 20% smoke marijuana, and 35% use alcohol. Many teens are not aware of the risks to their health, to their success in school, and the dangers while driving under the influence. When teens are given the scientific facts about drugs, they can be better prepared to make good decisions for themselves and they can share this information with others.

Take part in NDAFW, there are plenty of ways to get involved:

• Participate in the 10th Annual "Drug Facts Chat Day" on January 26, 2017
• Take the National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge
• Distribute the "Drugs: Shatter the Myths" booklet, and other resources, to teens
• Partner with the National Institute of Drug Abuse
• For more ideas and the latest news, visit the National Drug Facts Week website

About OCCMHA

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is the public mental health system responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately 25,000 Oakland County residents, including adults and children with developmental disabilities or substance use disorders; adults with serious mental illness; and children with serious emotional disturbance.

OCCMHA’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easter Seals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on OCCMHA’s website. For more information about OCCMHA call (800) 341-2003 or visit www.occmha.org.