On Tuesday, March 12th, Mayor Micheal Schmitz signed a proclamation declaring March 18th-24th National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) in the City of Bismarck. To commemorate NDAFW, the Burleigh Morton Behavioral Health Coalition Student Committee will be placing substance abuse prevention information on the effects of underage drug & alcohol use in local high schools.
The purpose of National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is to inspire dialogue among youth and adults about the science of alcohol and other drug use, how it effects the brain and body, and how it may lead to addiction.
Bismarck consistently ranks at or above state averages when it comes to teen substance use. According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 30% of Bismarck-Mandan High School students currently drank alcohol in the past 30 days compared to 24% of ND High School students. Marijuana use, and other substances are also a problem among Bismarck youth.
“National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is an opportunity to inspire and encourage young people to live free from underage substance use, allowing them to ask questions about drugs & alcohol without judgement, and receive science-based answers,” said Isabelle Ballalatak, SAP Specialist for Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health.
St. Mary’s High School, Bismarck High School, and Legacy High School will be participating in National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week. If you are interested in receiving informational materials to place in your school for NDAFW, or want to learn more, contact Isabelle Ballalatak at 701-355-1594.