Iowa: Governor: April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Source: Iowa ABD

April 7th

Governor Terry E. Branstad today signed a proclamation establishing April as Alcohol Awareness Month in Iowa.

“In order for Iowa to continue leading the nation in supporting healthy lifestyles, we must keep educating our young people on the potential perils of alcohol abuse,” said Branstad. “I’m pleased to sign this proclamation today establishing April as Alcohol Awareness Month in our state to draw attention to alcohol abuse.”

Alcohol use by teens across the nation continues to be a major concern. A prevention campaign sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence stresses the importance of family communications with their campaign “Talk Early, Talk Often: Parents Can Make a Difference in Teen Alcohol Use.” The campaign features parents or grandparents in casual conversations with teens.

In Iowa, approximately 37 percent of high school students admit to having had a drink of alcohol in the previous 30 days, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 23 percent said that they had had five or more drinks in one setting. And 11 percent of high schoolers in Iowa admitted to driving while drinking. The national average is eight percent.

“We are focused on regulating alcohol in the state effectively,” said Stephen Larson, Administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages division. “This certainly includes supporting the effort to prevent access of Iowans under the age of 21 to alcoholic beverages.”

Here is the proclamation:

P R O C L A M A T I O N

WHEREAS,         alcohol-related issues, including underage and binge drinking, impaired driving, and alcoholism, pose a significant challenge to Iowa communities and negatively affect the lives of our citizens; and 

WHEREAS,         one in every 12 adults in Iowa suffers from alcohol abuse or dependence; and

WHEREAS,         effective prevention and education programs reduce risk factors and strengthen protective measures that support youth in making informed decisions about alcohol use; and

WHEREAS,         communities and organizations across Iowa are joining together to declare their support for healthy lifestyles and demonstrate their commitment to the Healthiest State Initiative; and

WHEREAS,         observing Alcohol Awareness Month will help inform Iowans of the negative impacts of alcohol misuse on the health, happiness, and safety of Iowans:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim the month of April, 2016 as Alcohol Awareness Month.