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: Ames Sweet, Director of Communications 212/269-7797, ext. 16

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

ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH IS COMING Each April, the National Council on Alcoholism sponsors a campaign to raise public awareness about alcoholism and other alcohol-related problems. "Recovery: It's a Family Affair - and Everyone's Invited!" will be the theme of the annual campaign in April 2002. This grassroots campaign will encourage local communities to focus on the part that family plays in recovery from alcoholism. Families need and want help. According to the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, more than nine million children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs, and more than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking. Alcoholism affects a wide circle of people close to the alcoholic: relatives, friends, neighbors, employers, co-workers, classmates, teachers, doctors, community workers, and is closely linked to many of America's most difficult social problems, including crime, homelessness, teen pregnancy and domestic violence. Alcoholism is not an issue of morality or "will power," it is a public health issue, and while families and friends often suffer many of the same consequences of alcoholism as the alcoholic, they are often overlooked when it comes to recovery. Led by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1987, Alcohol Awareness Month begins with Alcohol-Free Weekend, which takes place in 2002 from Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7. Parents and other adults are asked to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages for a 72-hour period to demonstrate that alcohol isn't necessary to have a good time and NCADD will focus on youth-planned and youth-run Alcohol-Free events. In addition, all family members are encouraged to take this opportunity to learn more about alcoholism and to investigate recovery throughout the month. A kit will be available online soon. NCADD operates a toll-free Hope Line (800/NCA-CALL) for information and referral, and also coordinates a National Intervention Network (800/654-HOPE) to educate and assist the families and friends of addicted persons. NCADD also has a website with up-to-date information about alcoholism and a network of links to other agencies and organizations in the alcoholism field. With offices in New York and Washington, and a nationwide network of Affiliates, NCADD provides education, information, help and hope to the public. Founded in 1944 by Marty Mann, the first woman to achieve long-term sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, NCADD fights stigma and advocates prevention, intervention, and treatment. For more information, visit: www.ncadd.org. ###

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)