Mecklenburg County invites residents to go "booze-free" this weekend. It's an alcohol-free weekend April 3 - 5.
The County's Area Mental Health Department's Fighting Back program is working to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drinking. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and Fighting Back's goal is to demonstrate to adults and young people that alcohol isn't necessary to have a good time.
Alcohol contributes to more than 100,000 deaths annually. According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control (2008), 13,470 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (32%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States in 2007. In addition, half of the 306 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-related crashes were riding with drivers who had a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher (CDC, 2008).
Several agencies and organizations throughout Mecklenburg County will unite during the month of April to conduct a series of month-long awareness campaigns, educational seminars and youth events aimed at educating youth and families on the harmful effects of alcohol and underage drinking.
View the April calendar of events.
Fighting Back partners with Mecklenburg County neighborhoods, schools, agencies, businesses and faith-based groups to prevent, reduce or eliminate substance abuse. Fighting Back provides:
- Substance abuse prevention and education training
- Technical assistance to neighborhoods
- Youth leadership development
For mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability information, call MeckLINK at 704-336-6404.
