Public Awareness Campaigns
Major holidays, as well as special seasons such as the prom/graduation time frame and AEA Spring Break, are used by COSA-NCADD and ACATA as springboards for public awareness campaigns. The statewide campaigns stress that while it is a clear danger to involve drinking in activities throughout the year, long holiday and celebration weekends present particular opportunities to have judgment impaired by alcohol. Eleven coordinators throughout the state utilize sample articles, public service announcements, letters to the editors, talking papers, local interviews, proclamations, and merchandise to publicize the theme of the campaigns, which include Safe Spring Break (March), Alcohol Awareness Month (April), Operation Prom/Grad (April, May, June), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Week (May), Safe Boating (July), S.O.B.E.R.-Stay Off the Bottle, Enjoy the Road (Labor Day), and Holiday Awareness (November, December, January).
The statewide campaigns stress the importance of educating the public on the consequences of drinking alcohol. Each campaign has been designed from specific studies and statistics to be most beneficial during its designated time period:
1. HOLIDAY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, JANUARY): A statewide public education campaign to reduce the number of alcohol related highway deaths. The period from Thanksgiving to New Year is a time of celebration and enjoyment for family and friends, but is also a time when people drink more. We promote designated drivers, having non-alcoholic parties, and seat belt use.
2. ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH (APRIL): Alcohol Awareness is a campaign that attempts to raise the public's awareness regarding issues related to alcohol use and abuse. This year Alcohol Awareness Month is focused on underage drinking. Though it remains the number-one drug problem among youth, alcohol is often overlooked in the nation's efforts to prevent use of tobacco and illicit drugs in this population. In conjunction with the alcohol awareness month, one weekend in April is designated alcohol-free weekend. During those three days we ask parents and other adults to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages for a 72-hour period to demonstrate to young people that alcohol isn't necessary to have a good time.3. PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST (MAY AND JUNE): The Parents Who Host Lose the Most is a social marketing campaign during the months of prom and graduation to educate the community about local laws regarding parents and other adults hosting parties and serving alcohol for underage youth. In addition, COSA-NCADD is also conducting a SafeHomes campaign to create a network of parents who pledge to keep youth events at their homes alcohol and drug free.
4. NATIONAL HIV TESTING MONTH (JUNE): The campaign is designed to open a public dialogue around the relationship between substance abuse and HIV/AIDS transmission and bring awareness to the need for testing.
5. SAFE BOATING (JULY): Safe boating is a public awareness campaign for the Fourth of July holiday. The campaign, offered in cooperation with the Alabama Marine Police, strives to raise public recognition of the dangers of combining boating with the consumption of alcohol. COSA-NCADD and ACATA distribute safety information on boating to local boat dealerships, marinas, docks, and supply stores.
6. LABOR DAY (SEPTEMBER): A statewide safety campaign designed to inform the public of the dangers of drinking and driving and to encourage seat belt usage. Over the years it has been an effective way to remind the public to drive sober and to buckle seat belts.
7. NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH (SEPTEMBER): COSA-NCADD coordinates the campaign for National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
8. WORLD AIDS DAY (DECEMBER): The campaign is designed to bring attention to the events surrounding World AIDS Day celebration being held in Montgomery County.