Prevention through Connection
November 2020



Beware of Black Wednesday

Sourced from MADD

Blackout Wednesday (also known as Black Wednesday, Drinksgiving, Thanksgiving Eve, Wacky Wednesday, or Whiskey Wednesday) is a term for the night before Thanksgiving in the United States. The name refers to “blacking out”, which does not mean you pass out. The term “black out” refers to memory loss due to excessive alcohol intoxication.

MADD warns that with alcohol flowing freely and easily at home, stocked liquor cabinets, and parents getting ready for the holiday season, it is less obvious when liquor bottles are missing.

Tragically, Wednesday night before Thanksgiving - a bigger party night than prom, graduation night, St. Patrick's Day, or New Year's Eve - is one of the most fatal and worst drunk driving nights of the year. Police increase patrols checking for drunk driving in many jurisdictions.

It is one of the deadliest nights of the year for teenagers, but they are not the only ones drinking. MADD reports that the Thanksgiving holiday produces more people killed in drunk driving crashes than the Christmas holiday.

Facts to know:

  • Alcohol use by those under the age of 21 is not a rite of passage.

  • It is dangerous. It is deadly.

  • It can set kids up for a lifetime of negative consequences.
TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT ALCOHOL:
Keeping Your Kids Safe
Kids are influenced by so many of their surroundings - friends, teachers, celebrities, pop culture - yet parents are the leading influence on their kids’ decisions to drink - or not to drink - alcohol.

Over the last 10 years, 62 percent more kids reported talking with their parents about underage drinking, as well as with educators, counselors, and other practitioners. Conversations around alcohol should start when kids begin asking questions, like “Mommy, what is that? Can I have sip?” leading into middle school when kids become even more curious about alcohol and how their bodies work.

When conversations about alcohol between children and parents increase, the underage drinking rate decreases. With information coming at kids from all angles and devices, it is critical that parents not only start conversations early and often, but that they continue as kids grow—the topics and complexity of these discussions grow as well.

We want families to talk early, talk often, and be healthy.
In order to help parents prepare for these important conversations the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA )created the “Talk. They Hear You.” mobile app. The app features simulations that help parents learn the do’s and don’ts of talking to kids about alcohol and drug use. The app helps parents learn the questions to ask and share ideas on how to keep the conversation going.

VIP PARENT PROGRAM
SAVE THE DATE!
Why did 1 out of 4 brothers raised in the same home by loving and supportive parents become addicted to drugs and commit crimes while the other 3 followed paths to business and law school without any substance use issues whatsoever? Stephen Hill will answer this question by showing parents, through his story, how his personality traits and way of thinking was very different from his 3 brothers. Stephen pinpoints potential threats and warning signs for parents. His father shares how the stigma of addiction affected his family. This presentation will leave you with a better understanding of substance use in terms of prevention, treatment and support.
    
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