SAFE GC Coalition: LIVE SAFE! April is Alcohol Awareness Month

In 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) designated April as Alcohol Awareness Month. NCADD is an advocacy organization made up of individuals from the medical, scientific, political, and social fields who work together to overcome the stigma of alcoholism by increasing public understanding of the disease. The more the public understands that alcohol is a chronic but treatable disease, the more people feel comfortable reaching out for help. Spreading awareness about the risks of alcohol, the signs and symptoms of an alcohol use problem, and removing barriers to treatment resources saves lives.

About 90,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related causes, making it the country’s third most preventable cause of death. While national figures show a downward trend in the number of young people who use alcohol, alcohol remains the number one drug of choice for America’s youth and is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined. That’s why it’s important to get involved in Alcohol Awareness Month.

In keeping with Alcohol Awareness Month, SAFE’s Life Skills Training (LST) students enrolled in the Glen Cove Youth Bureau’s After 3 program participated in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA), 2023 Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse initiative to educate communities about the consequences of alcohol and other substance misuse by creating a sustainable logo “LIVE SAFE” that represents the prevention of alcohol misuse and its negative consequences. LIVE SAFE Campaign’s mission is to empower youth against alcohol and substance abuse from any toxic chemical sources that are addictive, unhealthy and effects their maturing bodies and brains.

Under the leadership of Spiro Tsirkas, Glen Cove Youth Bureau Executive Director/ SAFE Coalition’s Youth Committee Chair, and Monica Salinas, SAFE’s LST Program Coordinator, students participated in an art contest to create the logo. First the youth were offered an in-depth interactive lesson plan on the matter by Ms. Salinas. Committee Member Carol Meschkow-Manager Tobacco Action Coalition of LI lent her technical support on the dangers of toxic chemicals and their addictive properties on the developing brain and concerns over co-dependent behaviors and recreational use. After the youth were educated and armed against engaging in Alcohol and substance abuse they demonstrated their content knowledge and creativity by concluding the day with the LIVE SAFE Campaign Logo Contest.

Congratulations to Marco Gervasi, LIVE SAFE Alcohol Awareness logo contest winner.

To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about Alcohol and its negative consequences please visit www.safeglencove.org.