Schools can now register for Drugs & Alcohol Chat Day, the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) annual Web chat that connects NIH and FDA scientists with teens around the country, at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week/chat-with-scientists. Teens, who are bombarded daily with misinformation and myths about drug use, can ask questions not only about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, but also about common mental health challenges they experience in high school. Scientists respond with the most current scientific information available.
Drugs & Alcohol Chat Day occurs on January 26 during National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM, which runs from January 25 – 31, 2016. Transcripts from last year’s chat can be found at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week/chat-with-scientists/2015/transcript. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has joined forces with NIDA for this outreach effort, and questions focusing on both alcohol and drugs will be encouraged.
NIDA is also offering students around the country a chance to fill out and submit a pledge card to help SHATTER THE MYTHS about drug and alcohol use and addiction. Students can submit a photo or video answering the following question: “I want to SHATTER THE MYTHS because…” Details can be found at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week/get-activity-ideas/i-want-shatter-myths-because.
Further details about National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, including updated toolkits, the National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge, and other free resources for event planners, can be found at http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/.
For more information, contact the NIDA press office at media@nida.nih.gov or 301-443-6245.