Family Dinner Night Returns

Dinner Makes a Difference

Did you know one way to reduce teen drinking and drug use is by having frequent family dinners? Teens that have infrequent family dinners are twice as likely to use tobacco or marijuana; more than one and a half times likelier to use alcohol; and twice as likely to expect to try drugs in the future.

More than a decade of research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University has consistently found that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

Family Day: Eat Dinner with Your Children  is national movement launched in 2001 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse to  promote the parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners as a simple, effective way to prevent substance abuse in kids.

The Healthy Communities-Healthy Kids Coalition is hosting their second annual Family Dinner Night on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 5:30p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the HK Middle School Cafeteria. Dinner will be provided free-of-charge and door prizes will be available! This event helps to promote family dinners and support parents. Please bring your family and join us at this great event!

Please RVSP to Kathryn Glendon, Prevention Coordinator, at 860-345-7498 or kglendon@hkyfs.org by September 20, 2012. For more information please visit www.hc-hk.org

It is important to remember that YOU are the more potent and underutilized tool to prevent your children from using substances and engaging in risky behavior.