Alcohol Awareness Day

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 33
POLICY CODE: IHAMA

TO: Superintendents of Schools, Public and Private Secondary and Elementary School Principals, Safe and Supportive Schools Coordinators
FROM: Angela Faherty, Ph.D., Commissioner of Education
Guy Cousins, Director, Office of Substance Abuse, Department of Health and Human Services
DATE: September 28, 2010
SUBJECT: Alcohol Awareness Day

“Alcohol Awareness Day, the first Monday in December, shall be observed by studying, for at least 45 minutes, a constructive approach toward the use of alcohol and the problems and dangers of alcohol abuse upon the individual, the family, and society. The Commissioner shall prepare appropriate materials for this observation.” MRSA Title 20-A, Section 4803, Sub-section 5

Alcohol Awareness Day will be December 6, 2010 as part of Maine’s Alcohol Awareness Week, December 6-10, 2010. Many civic groups and alcohol service agencies, along with schools, will be sponsoring Alcohol Awareness Week activities. Through this law, the State of Maine recognizes the need for schools and community organizations to address alcohol issues.

Teachers seeking assistance in planning an Alcohol Awareness Day activity may contact the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, Information and Resource Center (IRC), Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-499-0027, or 287-8900, TTY 1-800-606-0215 or email: osa.ircosa@maine.gov . Age-appropriate materials which can be duplicated for classroom use are available upon request.

One way to address Alcohol Awareness Day is to use a video or DVD followed by a class discussion. The IRC staff has videos/DVDs available for loan (it is recommended that materials be reserved at least 3 weeks prior to the event). Videos/DVDs are listed in the IRC’s online catalog at www.maineosa.org/irc . Additional resources may also be found at www.maineosa.org/irc/alcoholawareness.htm .

Beyond observing Alcohol Awareness Day, it is important that Maine students be provided with education and awareness about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, abuse and dependence. This should be part of comprehensive school health education, Pre-K through Diploma, and in alignment with the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction Health Education Standards. Ongoing curriculum programs are a vital piece of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention education. For more information, see the health education component section of the coordinated school health program guidelines at www.mainecshp.com/health_education .

For questions or more information, contact the Office of Substance Abuse Information & Resource Center at 1-800-499-0027 or visit their website http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/prevention/