Last updated : December 16, 2024
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been sponsoring the annual National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) since 2010. NIDA scientists came up with the idea to encourage communities across the nation to create educational events focused on teaching teens about the science associated with drug abuse and addiction. Alcohol was added to the mix in 2016 when the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) came on board.
This year’s campaign begins Monday, March 18th, and runs through Sunday, March 24th. NDAFW provides the opportunity for our society-at-large to come together via scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and other community partners to reach out to the youth of the nation addressing substance use, abuse, and addiction.
An ever-changing playing field
As science advances, the drug market evolves. The drugs that are hitting our nation’s streets are becoming more and more powerful. The problem is that, as with fentanyl, for instance, these drugs are so inexpensive to manufacture that some are used as fillers to create more merchandise to sell.
Some of these drugs are more than 100 times more potent than heroin! Users who aren’t aware of that fact are at a highly increased risk of suffering death by overdose.
If there’s a bright side to this horror story, word is getting out about this unethical practice. Some state and local governments are even providing test sites so addicts can bring in their drugs to know if they’re “safe” to consume. There’s no fear of repercussion attached—the goal is to save lives. Self-test strips are another outreach program that is catching on in cities throughout the country.
Reaching out to those who are suffering from addiction and, for many of them anyway, living on the streets with life-saving techniques is a noble deed. However, even more noble, is saving someone from finding themselves living that life in the first place.
Brush up on the facts
Even if your community didn’t officially sign up to participate in an event the week of March 18th, it’s been brought to your attention now. Anytime is an appropriate time to reach out to young people about the dangers of substance abuse. Educating them gives them the tools they need to make informed decisions—and our kids aren’t stupid.
Providing them with scientific facts about drug addiction and abuse coupled with the evidence of someone they know or love who suffers a methamphetamine addiction, perhaps, may eventually bring this war on drugs to an abrupt halt.
Some information to consider putting forth can include:
- Most commonly used drugs and the risk of addiction
- How the brain is affected by drug use
- High-potency marijuana proving a greater risk than supposed
- Risks of misusing prescription stimulants
- Nicotine can cause lasting effects on the brain
- Risks involved with underaged drinking
Information regarding any or all of these topics should be made known to our teens, even middle schoolers! Rainbow fentanyl pills complete with an emoji design on top can easily be mistaken as candy. One tablet, of course, could be lethal.
Spontaneity may benefit attendance
If your community is participating in an official NIDA event during this year’s NDAFW, we hope you have a huge turnout! It gives you the advantage of being added to their nationwide map of events. You also have the benefit of accessing useful information and tips so your community has a successful event.
If not, as stated above, no time is a bad time to spread the word. In fact, planning an event without much prior notice may grace you with more in attendance. Teens aren’t known for keeping things scheduled out in advance. By the time the day arrives, more recent attractions may win the day—especially if there isn’t a parent involved with coordinating plans. Some might consider that this target group at a higher risk.
It’s worth considering.
It wouldn’t be hard to pull together something of such importance, especially if you focus on just a few specific topics. Contacting local experts is sure to garner quick support. Information pamphlets can be purchased ready to go or printed from someone locally in pretty short order. The benefits of your hustle might be reaped tenfold!
The excited buzz in the air is sure to pique curious young minds.
Pitch privacy
The NIDA urges participants to start the event by welcoming everyone and reading a statement that resembles the following:
We are very interested in what you have to say and encourage you to talk freely about drugs and drug use. Your privacy is also very important to us. This event should provide a safe and supportive environment. We pledge to you and each other to respect the comments and privacy of others. In order to keep a safe environment for sharing information, we’ve set up the following ground rules:
- Treat everyone with respect and fairness.
- Avoid using real names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Do not share personal information you hear at this event.
This type of statement encourages young people and everyone else in the room to speak freely. They can ask questions about drug or alcohol use or contribute first-hand knowledge to the conversation without reservation. No worries about who is going to find out what from the things you say is a huge step in opening lines of communication that aren’t going to be easily shut down.
That’s how we eventually put drugs in their place and out of the hands of people who most likely always come to greatly regret ever taking them in the first place.
One more thing, if you don’t spend a lot of time with teens, it’s important to know that even though they may not appear to be listening—they are. Moreover, the same can be said for every person in the room.
