Public Information

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 Years is a time of celebration and enjoyment for family and friends, but is also a time when people drink more. We promote designated drivers, and having non-alcoholic parties, and seat belt use.
  2. SAFE SPRING BREAK (MARCH): The Safe Spring Break campaign addresses the dangerous tendency of binge drinking and warns both high school and college students of the possibility of acute alcohol poisoning. The campaign reminds the public that 16-24 year old age group is at the greatest risk for involvement in DUI accidents. Teens are also warned of the illegality of under aged drinking, and the legal consequences of fake ID's.
  3. 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.
  4. PROM/GRAD (APRIL, MAY, JUNE): A statewide alcohol and drug awareness campaign encouraging students to celebrate sober. Operation Prom/Grad is intended to reduce injuries and deaths by encouraging drug free prom and graduation celebrations, seatbelt usage, and the increased awareness of the dangers of riding with alcohol impaired drivers. Teens are at the highest risk for alcohol-related highway crashes. COSA-NCADD and ACATA distribute bookmarks and key chains to area schools encouraging students to celebrate sober. Flyers are distributed to local florists and tuxedo rental shops to be placed in corsage boxes and tuxedo pockets reminding celebrants of the dangers of drinking and driving.
  5. FETAL ALCOHOL SYDROME AWARENESS WEEK (MAY): The week of Mothers Day is designated as FAS week in Alabama to inform women of the chance the fetus may be harmed by the use of alcohol and other drugs, and to persuade women from using such substances throughout their pregnancy. COSA-NCADD and ACATA distribute bookmarks and brochures to local health facilities and florists with information about FAS on them.
  6. 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.
  7. S.O.B.E.R.-STAY OFF THE BOTTLE, ENJOY THE ROAD (LABOR DAY): A statewide safety campaign designed to inform the public of the dangers of drinking and driving and to encourage seat belt usage. The campaign is traditionally kicked off with an overturned car placed at a busy intersection, to be a dramatic reminder of what can happen when alcohol is combined with driving. Over the years it has been an effective way to remind the public to drive sober and to buckle seat belts.
  8. NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH (September): The Alabama Recovery Network/Friends of Recovery-Alabama (ARN/FOR-AL) coordinates a statewide campaign for National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. For more information about how to get involved and a calendar of events for Alabama, call 334-262-1629.

The Council on Substance Abuse-NCADD is presently working on a new campaign for the homecoming/football season during the months of September, October, and November. The agency is an active participant in the National Red Ribbon Campaign.

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