NIAAA Newsletter

NIAAA Chats With Kids About Alcohol

On November 1, NIAAA participated in National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Drug Facts Chat Day. Part of November’s National Drug Facts Week, Chat Day offers middle- and high-school students the chance to ask questions about drugs and alcohol and get answers in a real-time chat. Scientific experts and editors from NIAAA, NIDA, and the National Institute of Mental Health joined forces to provide evidence-based answers written in a teen-friendly style.

This year, more than 70 schools Nationwide participated. Overall, the teams answered 1,890 questions, the most ever answered in the event’s 5-year history. The NIAAA team, expert Dr. Aaron White and editor Shuly Babitz, responded to 250 questions—more than any other team. Alcohol-related questions included “What should I do if my parents drink a lot?” “Is drinking bad when you’re pregnant?” “What happens if you inject alcohol or put it in your eye?” “Why is alcohol bad for your liver?” and “How do I say ‘no’ when my friends want me to drink?”

The NIAAA team offered answers and links to NIAAA resources, including Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health, The Cool Spot Web site, and Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol’s Impact on Your Health.