National Alcohol Awareness Month; Child Abuse Prevention Month

HealthWatch for April 2004
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ave a Life – End Underage Drinking
Alcohol is a drug that can affect judgment, coordination and long-term health, and research suggests that early use of alcohol by teenagers may contribute significantly to dependence on alcohol and other drugs later in life, with 40% of children who begin using alcohol before the age of 13 becoming alcoholics at some point in their lives. Alcohol is the number one drug of choice among America’s youth and is a factor in the four leading causes of death among persons ages 10 - 24.

For information, visit National Intervention Network or call 1-800-654-HOPE. Also see the special fact sheet for Alcohol Awareness Month: Pertinent Facts on Underage Drinking

Source: The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. is the sponsor of Alcohol Awareness Month.

Other Resources:

Alcohol Free Children
MADDOhio

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Four children die every day in this country from child abuse and neglect. Eighty percent of violent juvenile and adult prisoners were raised in violent homes. Over 100,000 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported in Ohio during 2001.

Many of these children could have been protected. Child abuse and neglect is everyone’s business. Every individual plays a role in preventing and recognizing child abuse.

For information, visit Prevent Child Abuse Ohio or call 1-800-CHILDREN.

Source: Prevent Child Abuse Ohio

Other Resources:

Prevent Child Abuse
The Council on Child Abuse
Beech Acres