- Published: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 02:17 PM
State Senator Mattie Hunter speaks out this week on April marking the 27th annual Alcohol Awareness Month.
“In a nation and culture where the public is consistently bombarded with media images glorifying this oftentimes dangerous substance,” Hunter said, “now more than ever, our citizens must be equipped with knowledge of what the choice to consume and/or abuse alcohol entails for themselves and others.”
Alcohol is one of the U.S.’ most commonly abused drugs, although for all citizens over age 21 it is legal. As a result of the popularity and frequent overuse of this highly addictive substance, National Alcohol Awareness Month was established by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc. in 1987 and has been observed every April since. A critical part of the observance of Alcohol Awareness Month is the Alcohol-Free Weekend that’s celebrated every first weekend in April to foster greater recognition of how alcohol consumption and abuse might affect individuals, families, businesses and communities.