LAPS NEWS RELEASE

What is National Drug and Alcohol Facts  Week®? 

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in  communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on  Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what  science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and  Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week.  NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health, and work with leading organizations, media outlets, and other Government agencies to spread the word about NDAFW. 

The LAPS Prevention Program is highlighting the 2023 National Drugs and Alcohol Facts week by posting a common question that teens ask every day on social media and providing information to help families start a conversation about the effects of substance use and  addiction. You can follow Los Alamos Public Schools on Facebook or Instagram. 

The Los Alamos Public Schools district coordinates a spectrum of prevention activities, including health promotion and awareness campaigns, that are provided by school staff and community partners with funding support from Los Alamos County. The aim of the program is to build protective factors, life skills, and resilience and reduce risk behaviors and harm to children and youth. 

For more information or to offer suggestions, Prevention Support Specialist Kristine Coblentz can be reached at k.coblentz@laschools.net or 505-663-2575.