(Rockville, MD, Tuesday, January 15, 2019) – Many young people start drinking before the age of 15. Thirty-three percent of eighth graders in the United States said they tried alcohol at some time in their lives, and 65 percent of teens who do drink reported that they get drunk in a typical month. The benefits of reducing underage drinking and substance use are substantial, including saving lives and dollars, and promoting the health of young people. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Talk.  They Hear You.”® campaign’s goal is to provide parents and caregivers with the resources they need to address the issue of alcohol and other drugs with their children under the age of 21.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is coming January 22-27, 2019. The week-long event links students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends.

Actress Torrey DeVitto reminds parents that every day is the right day to talk to their children.

SOUNDBITE:

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS. THEY REALLY DO HEAR YOU. SMALL CONVERSATIONS CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR CHILD’S DECISION TO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL AND USE OTHER DRUGS. PARENTS ARE THE NUMBER ONE INFLUENCE ON THEIR CHILDREN’S DECISIONS TO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL.

For more information, visit www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking.