LAKE COUNTY — Alcohol Awareness Month has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987.
It is observed by communities throughout the United States and is a national grassroots effort to support research, education, intervention and treatment for alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
Alcohol Awareness Month provides people and families an opportunity to work together to not only raise awareness and understanding about the negative consequences of drinking, but to highlight the need for local action and intervention.
In the United States, almost 100,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes: drinking and driving crashes, accidents, falls, fires, alcohol related homicides and suicides.
In Lake County, an average of 386 residents attended driving under the influence classes each year.
Approximately 15 million current drinkers in the United States are between the ages of 12 and 20. Alcohol related problems cost America $224 billion ($746 per person) in lost productivity, absenteeism, healthcare costs, crime and family related problems.
Among Lake County seventh-graders, 19 percent of the girls and 12 percent of the boys admit to having tried alcohol four or more times.
The County of Lake, Mental Health Department, Division of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) provides alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services in Lake County; collaborates and contracts with local provider agencies; implements policy established by or recommends policy to the Board of Supervisors.
Its mission is to prevent and address alcohol and drug-related problems by promoting community responsibility for an environment free of alcohol misuse and drug abuse.
Services are available to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, age, religion, language or disability. Se habla espa?ol. All services are confidential.
For information on services available contact AODS in Lucerne at 274-9101 or Clearlake at 994-6494.
