This 4th of July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is spreading awareness of the potential deadly consequences of impaired driving so that people can celebrate the holiday safely.
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens. In 2022, underage drinking was involved in almost one-third of young drivers’ deaths from fatal crashes. In addition, 30% of young drivers ages 15–20 who were killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 grams per deciliter or higher.1
In addition:
- From 2018 to 2022, there were 2,228 traffic crash fatalities during the July 4th holiday period.
- 487 people died in motor vehicle crashes over the July 4th holiday period in 2022.2
Two NHTSA campaigns—1) Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving; and 2) If You Feel Different, You Drive Different—address social norms around drinking and driving. The first campaign encourages people to not get behind the wheel after drinking and to plan for a safe, sober ride home. The second reminds people that it is dangerous and illegal to drive impaired.
Access these NHTSA campaign materials, including sample social media messages, talking points, graphics, and more, at https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/#8916.
1 “Drunk Driving,” NHTSA, accessed June 18, 2024, available at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving#age-5056
2 “Fourth of July,” NHTSA, Traffic Safety Marketing, accessed June 18, 2024, available at: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/drunk-driving/buzzed-driving-drunk-driving/fourth-july#7076
Date:
07/01/2024
A recent Campus Drug Prevention article by Jennifer Jacobsen, MA, MPH, executive director of health and wellness at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, tackles the topic of faculty working with students on their well-being. In the article,
Jacobsen gives examples of ways that prevention practitioners can partner with faculty to support students, including:
- Working with statistics and data science faculty who may be looking for local campus health datasets surveying students and their peers;
- Coordinating shared projects or speaking opportunities with psychology faculty who teach health psychology or pharmapsychology;
- Reaching out to marketing and communications faculty who may be looking for projects to positively affect the campus community; and
- Working with pre-health faculties to reach students who are interested in learning more from practitioners.
Jacobsen also encourages practitioners to make faculty aware of substance data on their campus so that they can help promote accurate norms, challenge assumptions, and set pro-social expectancies.
Read the full article for more ideas on engaging faculty members in prevention work.
Date:
07/01/2024
Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, Virginia, has produced several PSA campaigns throughout the years. Behind-the-scenes footage shows what goes into making these PSAs, including a recent one that addresses opioid use among youth and young adults and promotes a local program for students struggling with substance use.
Get inspired for your community’s own drug prevention efforts by watching the video at https://www.justthinktwice.gov/media/one-mistake-all-it-takes?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
Date:
07/01/2024
- The “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign mobile application helps parents and caregivers who want to turn everyday situations into opportunities to have conversations about alcohol and other drugs. Download it today from the App Store, Google Play, or the Microsoft Store.
- The Screen4Success tool screens for health, wellness, and well-being by asking questions about a child’s life. It’s a quick and easy way to identify areas where someone may benefit from more support and provides local and national resources to help address those concerns. Access it on your mobile device by downloading the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign mobile app and selecting the Screening button from the app’s main navigation.
Date:
07/01/2024
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