.png){kind=logo}
McMeen Elementary
Weekly Message from McMeen Nurse
04/12/23, 9:13 AM
Good Morning McMeen Families!
April is also National Alcohol Awareness Month.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Awareness (NIAAA, 2021) states that children who drink alcohol are more likely to:
- be victims of violent crimes
- be involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes
- have serious school-related problems
It may not seem applicable to discuss alcohol with elementary-aged students, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 9/27/2022) states that:
Some Children May Try Alcohol or Other Drugs at a Very Young Age
It is never too early to talk to your children about alcohol and other drugs. Children as young as nine years old already start viewing alcohol in a more positive way, and approximately 3,300 kids as young as 12 try marijuana each day. Additionally, about five in 10 kids as young as 12 obtain prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes. The earlier you start talking, the better.
Some research also suggests that by the time a child is pre-school aged, they have already been exposed to alcohol advertising, which confirms that, truly, it is never too early to talk to your child about alcohol.
For a great, comprehensive guide on how to talk with your child about alcohol view the PDF attachments to this message. There is an English handbook and a Spanish handbook.
You can also find a ton on parent resources on youth substance prevention here: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources
If you and/or you child or someone else you know is struggling with alcohol use other other drugs, please consider reaching out to the SAMHSA's confidential and free hotline:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
Thank you,
Nurse Miriam
Attachment: 16813122631206_NIAAA_Make_a_Difference_English_1.pdf
Attachment: 16813122632040_NIAAA_Make_a_Difference_Spanish.pdf
