Originally developed by the National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in 2010, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) is a weeklong observance dedicated to shining light on the true costs of substance abuse in the United States.

In 2023, NDAFW will be hosted from March 20 to March 26, nationwide.

What Happens During NDAFW?

As part of this event, numerous American communities will bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, parents, and community partners to discuss the science and truth of drug use and addiction among youth and young adults in particular.

Events are hosted in a wide variety of venues, including:

virtual forums
middle schools and high schools
community-based organizations
state and local health departments
faith-based organizations
home meetings

NIDA has also made a number of resources available to help those who would like to host one of these events.

NDAFW Activity Ideas

NDAFW events help communities shatter the myths and false glamor of substance misuse by sponsoring organizations and recommending a number of activities and initiatives for participants, including:

crafting videos with the hashtag #MyWhyNDAFW and sharing them on social media as a way to add your voice to the conversation around drug use prevention and mental health
exploring real options to help students cope with stress and other mental health challenges
playing the official NDAFW Kahoot to understand how acute stress impacts one’s body, and how this differs from the dangers of chronic stress
sharing the “Is This Legit?” activity designed to help students learn how to access and evaluate health information
starting a conversation based on teens’ “Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Drugs and Health”
viewing NDAFW videos to explore what the dangers of addiction and how it intersects with mental health challenges like anxiety and depression
taking the National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge to test your own knowledge on drugs and alcohol

Treating Teen & Young Adult Substance Use Disorders

Many young people who abuse alcohol or use drugs do not develop a long-term problem. However, some teens are more at risk than others due to mental health issues, childhood trauma, or a family history of substance use disorder.

Fortunately, effective treatment options are available to help you and your loved ones recover from substance abuse and addiction, including professional recovery services hosted by Northeast Addictions Treatment Center.

To learn about our outpatient treatment options, please contact us today.

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — Get Activity Ideas

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW)