Wednesday, 26 October 2022 02:00 PM
Company Update
Statewide Initiative Launches Peer Pressure Prevention Campaign to Encourage Families to Discuss Dangers of Underage Drinking
RALEIGH, NC / ACCESSWIRE / October 26, 2022 / Halloween is usually associated with elaborate costumes, spooky haunted houses, and tasty treats, but the dark side of Halloween is at the other end of the spectrum and can include underage drinking. To help reduce alcohol-related dangers, representatives from Talk it Out NC, the North Carolina initiative to prevent underage drinking, are launching the "Halloween Peer Pressure Prevention" campaign.
The White House issued a proclamation for National Youth Substance Use Month, which takes place in October. The administration is "drawing on evidence-based strategies to prevent substance use and to intervene early so we can help keep America's young people healthy and safe." The administration plans to increase spending in 2023 on the initiative toward preventing drug and alcohol use.
Consider these statistics:
- 45 percent of fatal drunk driving accidents involve teenage drinkers on Halloween
- 43 percent of car crashes on Halloween involve a drunk driver
- One-fourth of pedestrians killed on Halloween night were killed by a drunk driver
"We want to make sure that young people can have fun on Halloween, but that they do so without participating in underage drinking," says Burna Mattocks, Director of Special Services for the NC ABC Commission's Talk it Out NC Campaign. "We hope that our tips help teens and the parenting community have safe and enjoyable Halloween events."
Halloween Peer Pressure Prevention Tips
Halloween doesn't have to be scary. Here are additional tips for a safe Halloween - one that steers away from peer pressure.
- Buddy System - Join forces with a friend who also thinks underage drinking is a bad decision. Support each other if either of you feels pressured to drink.
- Be the Designated Driver - Volunteer to be the designated driver if you are concerned about you and your friends' safety. Ensure that the people you care about get home safely.
- Lock Up Your Liquor Cabinet - Preventing underage drinking can start by locking up your alcohol, so it is off limits to teens in your home.
- X-Plan - Use the X-Plan to get out of a risky situation. This plan starts with a parent/trusted adult having a conversation with their pre-teen/teen to set up the details of the plan. It states that young people can text trusted adults a single letter (X) and you'll call to get them out of the situation and pick them up.
- Take the Pledge! - Take the Talk it Out NC Pledge to Stop Underage Drinking together as a family. Use our resources on ways you can help child say "no" to alcohol.
About Talk it Out NC:
The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission launched the Talk it Out NC campaign in 2014. The goal of the multimedia awareness and engagement campaign is to reduce underage drinking by encouraging conversations between responsible adults and young people. Talk it Out NC offers resources for parents and others who need guidance talking to their children about the dangers of underage drinking. This aligns with the ABC Commission's mission of working to strengthen the public health, wellness, and safety of communities across North Carolina.
Visit www.TalkitOutNC.org to get the conversation started.
Contact:
Jacque Masse
919-459-8167
[email protected]
SOURCE: Talk it Out NC