The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

NCADD News Release

For More Information, Contact: Jeffrey Hon, Director for Public Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release:

Senator George McGovern to Chair 1996 Alcohol Awareness Month In April

Senator George McGovern, who lost his adult daughter to alcoholism two years ago, will serve as honorary chair of Alcohol Awareness Month in April 1996, a national campaign that targets underage drinking with the slogan "Let's Draw The Line." "As access to treatment for alcoholism becomes increasingly limited, it's more important than ever to do what we can to prevent our children from using a drug that is the third leading cause of preventable death in America," declared Senator McGovern. "Like many alcoholics, my daughter Terry began drinking during her high school years." Random House will publish a book next spring in which Senator McGovern tells the story of his daughter's life and death struggle with alcoholism. Alcohol Awareness Month, sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987, encourages local to take a closer look at how America's number-one drug problem affects their young people. With more than 30% of the nation's high school seniors reporting that they have been drunk during the past month, dangerous use of alcohol remains alarmingly high. Just as troubling, fewer than half of the nation's seniors say they see any great harm in having five or more drinks once or twice a weekend even though "binge drinking" puts them at much higher risk for developing alcoholism and other alcohol-related problems. Unfortunately, many communities in America have refused to take enforcement of underage drinking laws seriously. Though purchase and public possession of alcohol by people under the age of 21 is illegal in all 50 states, approximately 2/3 of teenagers who drink report that they can buy their own beer, wine and distilled spirits. Kits to help communities observe Alcohol Awareness Month will again be available from NCADD for $10 to cover production and distribution costs. They will include a model underage alcohol consumption reduction act (as recommended by the President's Commission on Model State Drug Laws), easily reproduced press materials and suggested grassroots activities for organizers. Also included will be a sample copy of "What Should I Tell My Child About Drinking?" a new, comprehensive guide for parents. To request an order form for a kit, write to NCADD at 12 West 21 Street, New York, NY, 10010 or fax to 212/645-1690. 12/95

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)