ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

Each April since 1987, the National Council  on Alcoholism  and Drug Dependence, Inc.  (NCADD) has sponsored  Alcohol  Awareness Month  to increase  public awareness  and understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage  local communities to focus  on alcoholism  and alcohol-related issues. The Ocean County Health Department supports these  efforts  and seeks to inform the residents  of Ocean County about the dangers  of alcohol abuse.

Freeholder Director  Gerry  P. Little, who is liaison to the Ocean  County  Board  ofHealth, urges residents to embrace this year’s theme –“Changing Attitudes: It’s  not a ‘rite of passage’.” According  to Freeholder  Director  Little, “educating people about the treatment  and prevention of alcoholism,  particularly  among  our youth,  and the important role that parents can play in giving kids a better understanding of the impact that  alcohol  can have on their  lives is critical in our prevention affairs.” Daniel E. Regenye, Public  Health  Coordinator  for the Ocean  County  Health Department remarks  that “Alcohol  and drug use by young  people  is disturbingly dangerous  for both the person and their community  as such usage is directly associated  with traffic  fatalities,  violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol  overdose,  unsafe  sex and other problem  behaviors,  and may result in the development of a dependence  or addiction.”  According  to Mr. Regenye, “Adolescence  is generally a time of increased  risk-taking  and as alcohol  and drugs enter young  lives, parents are faced with a unique set of challenges. Parents often  ignore underage  drinking  as a “rite of passage.” Parents are encouraged  to change their  attitude  and take an active role in learning about  alcohol and drugs and help their kids do the same.”

Brian E. Rumpf, D ire c tor of Administration  and  Program Development for  the Ocean County Health Department  adds “the Ocean County  Health  Department  has multiple  contracts throughout the area for residents  with substance  use disorders  and alcohol related  issues.  Any resident looking for help can call 732-341-9700 x7538  for information