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Alcohol-Free Weekend
April 5-7, 2002 |
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ABOUT THIS KIT |
All of the copycat materials may be reproduced or adapted to your own needs and distributed within your community without permission. An acknowledgment that the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. as the sponsor of Alcohol-Free Weekend, and identification of our website (www.ncadd.org) as a good resource would be appreciated.
This kit contains:
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| “I’M FREE FOR THE WEEKEND!” |
An adult alcohol awareness program, Alcohol-Free Weekend is a community celebration, involving non-profit agencies, businesses, prevention and treatment agencies, and health care providers, recreational programs, public safety professionals, government leaders, and others. “I’m Free for the Weekend” promotes activities that are alternatives to alcohol use. It encourages adults to put aside alcohol for one weekend by offering an array of fun, recreational and social events in the community for adults and their families. It ties in healthy recreational activities as a way of focusing alcohol use as a health issue.
Alcohol-Free Weekend takes place the first weekend of April, to kick off National Alcohol Awareness Month, celebrated by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
HOW DOES “I’M FREE FOR THE WEEKEND” WORK?
Activities for the weekend are sponsored by recreational organizations, YMCAs, museums, roller-skating rinks, movie theaters, car washes, hair salons, hot air balloonists, softball and volleyball teams, orchestras, musical groups and many others. Participants purchase an item (t-shirt, hat, sweatshirt, or button) with the slogan “I’m Free for the Weekend.” Wearing the t-shirt or other item allows entry into any of these fun and recreational activities at free or reduced admission. Special events such as a non-alcoholic beverage mixing and tasting contest, sober dances, and a 5K road race are also held.
IS ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND ONLY FOR THOSE WITH ALCOHOL PROBLEMS?
NO! Alcohol-Free Weekend is not intended solely for people who have alcohol problems. Nor is it a test, since alcohol abusers may often control their drinking for periods of time. Alcohol-Free Weekend does encourage adults to examine the role of alcohol in their lives, promote recovery for those who do have alcohol problems, and create public visibility for many people recovering from alcohol addiction and for those adults who want to present a non-use message.
DOES THIS WEEKEND PROMOTE PERMANENT ALCOHOL ABSTINENCE?
No. Our mission, as expressed through Alcohol-Free Weekend and other activities, is to promote awareness of the risks associated with alcohol use and misuse, and to identify persons who may be at risk for alcohol-related problems and situations which present risks for alcohol-abuse.
WHO BENEFITS FROM ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND?
Alcohol-Free Weekend encourages the whole community to create and participate in alcohol-free events. It is a way for local business owners, civic and fraternal organizations, municipal agencies and human service providers to become a part of alcohol awareness activities. For many local businesses, the Weekend offers a way of inviting new customers to visit their facility or participate in their activity.
WHY IS ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND A CELEBRATION?
Alcohol-Free Weekend is not only a time of personal choice for alcohol abstinence, but is also part of a major public education campaign about alcohol and its risks. Alcohol use is embedded in the American culture. Its abuse occurs in every social, economic and ethnic group. One in every four families is affected by alcohol-related problems. The alcohol beverage industry spends $2 BILLION each year to promote its products. The abuse and misuse of alcohol causes more than 100,000 deaths each year and costs America almost $100 BILLION each year in lost job productivity. This celebration is a way of making the public aware of these facts.
(This program was developed in 1990 by the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence)
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| TIPS FOR CELEBRATING “ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND” APRIL 5-7, 2002 |
Hold a press briefing. It’s the fast way to reach the most people. Calls will follow, so prepare basic statements. Keep NCADD’s fact sheets handy.
Enlist community leaders. Include them in your press events and statements. Other citizen groups and friends working in alcoholism/addictions will increase your outreach and make this a community activity.
Be ready with ideas for anyone who wants to participate. Schools, churches, hospitals, and recovery groups leap to mind. But if a tavern owner calls, be ready to talk about alcohol-free drink contests, etc. Remember, we’re not asking consumers to quit for good or to stop buying alcohol.
Remember, every parent wants healthy children. Urge adults to use these three days to show kids they can enjoy a normal weekend without serving or consuming alcohol. This may also help the grown-ups review their own drinking.
Remind everyone that this is NOT meant to be a test for alcoholism. Offer NCADD’s pamphlets, “What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?” and “What Can You Do About Someone Else’s Drinking?” and encourage anyone concerned about their own or another’s drinking to find out more from an NCADD Affiliate or other alcoholism group.
Review your personal relationship with alcohol. A look at your own drinking practices can’t hurt.
Be enthusiastic with those who show interest. And skip the others. You don’t have time and energy to spare on arguments.
Keep it simple… and professional. Avoid jargon and technical language; stay away from “hip” terms for drinking and drugging, as well as recovery terms that may confuse others (such as “pink cloud,” “dry drunk,” etc.), and remember that “responsible drinking” is an alcohol industry phrase that suggests by inference that those with alcohol problems are “irresponsible.”
Emphasize “Alcohol-Free Weekend” as a tool to raise awareness. Remind those who see no alcohol problem in their own lives of the impact of alcoholism on society. Talk about the health risks and the dangers of underage drinking.
Encourage radio stations (in your listening area) to air announcements about the weekend. Submit suggested scripts and also ask them to publicize any alcohol-free events you organize.
Respect and observe anonymity traditions. Reporters are often eager for “names” to make their articles “more interesting.” However, we need to help shield alcoholics and their families, especially during early recovery, from unwanted publicity. Never engage in speculation about the rumored drinking habits of public figures.
Keep it light. If asked what people should do instead of drinking, a good answer is: “Everything else!”
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| NEWS RELEASE |
Instructions for use of news release:
- Substitute local information in the news releases below, reproduce copies on your letterhead or news release paper to inform media that your local organization is observing Alcohol-Free Weekend.
- Give the news releases to press covering the proclamation ceremony. Send copies to the city desks of your local newspapers and to the assignment editors at your local radio and television stations. They should receive the releases shortly before the events take place. Even if they don't send a reporter, a story can be written.
Sample news release to announce Alcohol-Free Weekend:
For More Information, Contact:
(INSERT NAME & TITLE OF LOCAL CONTACT)
(INSERT PHONE NUMBER) |
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For Immediate Release:
ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND TO BE OBSERVED APRIL 5-7, 2002 |
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Alcohol-Free Weekend, traditionally observed during Alcohol Awareness Month in April, is scheduled for April 5-7, 2002.
(INSERT NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION) asks parents and other adults to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages for a 72-hour period to demonstrate to young people that alcohol isn't necessary to have a good time. If participants discover they can't go without a drink during this period, they are urged to call (INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR 800/622-2255) for information about alcoholism.
(INSERT PARAGRAPH ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS DOING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY OBSERVE ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND)
Alcohol Awareness Month, observed in April by communities throughout the United States, is a national grassroots effort to support research, education, intervention and treatment for alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. A grassroots event led by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1987, it offers organizations with different missions an opportunity to work together to raise awareness about the negative consequences of drinking.
(INSERT PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION) |
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| SUGGESTED GRASSROOTS ACTIVITIES |
Work with local youth organizations, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, Boys and Girls clubs, and YMCA/YMHA to develop and promote alternative youth and family activities during Alcohol-Free Weekend.
Partner with local businesses (including fast food restaurants, book, video and music stores, movie theaters, malls, skating rinks, bowling alleys and miniature golf courses) for alcohol-free youth events or promotions.
Insert a list of activities and local resources with letters to local schools, youth organizations and civic organizations announcing Alcohol-Free Weekend.
For Religious Groups:
Integrate alcohol issues into the ongoing religious education of young people.
Address the question "Is Alcohol Affecting the Quality of Family Life?" through sermons and study groups to encourage participation in Alcohol-Free Weekend activities.
Allow use of your facilities for alternative youth and family activities, mentoring programs, parent training, stress management seminars, healthy lifestyles workshops and substance abuse prevention education sessions during Alcohol-Free Weekend, and throughout the year.
TOP OF PAGE
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National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
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244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022
phone: 212/269-7797 fax: 212/269-7510
email: national@ncadd.org http://www.ncadd.org
HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)
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