Author: John Carter

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week March, 2024 District Health Department 10

We are still here to answer any questions or offer advice. Please send an email to with information about your event, the dates, and any questions you may have. NIDA will host a Tweetstorm to raise awareness for NDAFW on Monday, March 30, from 3 to 4 p.m. Students and organizations can participate by tweeting about drug and alcohol education and using the hashtag #NDAFW during that hour. EDT, NIDA will host a Twitter Trivia Challenge in collaboration with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

1. People suffering from substance use disorders have trouble controlling their drug use even though they know drugs are harmful.
2. Since its inception in 2010, NDAFW has continued to grow, with planners organizing nearly 2,000 events in all 50 states and in 20 countries last year.
3. Whether you’re a returning participant or new to NDAFW, NIDA has the answers to your questions and resources to help you and your planning team make the most of this annual health observance.
4. NDAFW is supported by many partners, including federal agencies such as the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Office of Safe and Healthy Students in the U.S.

From videos and quizzes to comprehensive lesson plans and conversation starters, find tailored resources for teens, parents, educators, and community members. “The challenges that alcohol and drugs pose to young people are an ever-present reality. Polysubstance use involving alcohol includes drinking and using other substances such as marijuana, opioids, heroin or other illicit drugs, or medications not as prescribed.

According to the CDC, Polysubstance use is when two or more substances are used together or within a short time period, either intentionally or unintentionally. Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws specify the legal age when an individual can purchase alcoholic beverages. March 23, 2020—National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) marks its 10th anniversary March 30 through April 5, 2020, encouraging communities around the country to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about substance use and addiction. NDAFW is a joint initiative of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which are both part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) marks its 10th anniversary March 30 through April 5, 2020, encouraging communities around the country to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about substance use and addiction. NDAFW is a joint initiative of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which are both part of the National Institutes of Health.

March 20, 2023 – March 26, 2023

Teens that are interested in hosting events must partner with an adult who meets this criterion (including your parents!). On YouTube – Parents and educators can share the non-VR YouTube video version with students on any computer or mobile device. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and ensures your event is listed on the online events map.

Whether intentional or not, using alcohol and other substances is unsafe because the effects may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and even deadly. Whether it’s via email, social media posts, or pitching local news to cover it, you can amplify your community activity or event and increase engagement. All approved events will be displayed on the Events Map within 2 weeks of submitting the registration form.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (March,

Registered activities held any time in the same month as the week of NDAFW can be recognized  as NDAFW events. We would still like to hear about your event and support you in any way possible. Make sure to register your event, have it listed on the Events Map, or promote it as an NDAFW event.

Check out events already registered on our NDAFW Map to see who is hosting an event in your area. Overcoming a substance use disorder is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs through willpower alone. Recovery may involve medication to help with cravings and withdrawal as well as different forms of therapy. It may even require checking into a rehabilitation facility. Recovery can be challenging, but it is possible. People suffering from substance use disorders have trouble controlling their drug use even though they know drugs are harmful.

NDAFW is an annual, week-long health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. The misuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans. NDAFW is an annual, week-long observance in which local educational events link teens with science-based facts about drugs and alcohol through live and online activities across the country.

Partner With NIDA for NDAFW

Participate in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) and help share facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction in your community. NDAFW is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. Sign up for NDAFW email updates below, and find lots of great resources for planning and promoting your very own NDAFW event. Participate in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) this March 18th – March 24th and help share facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction in your community.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health, and work with leading organizations, media outlets, and other Government agencies to spread the word about NDAFW.

Since its inception in 2010, NDAFW has continued to grow, with planners organizing nearly 2,000 events in all 50 states and in 20 countries last year. Due to COVID-19, many NDAFW local events may be cancelled, rescheduled, or adjusted to a virtual/remote activity. National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), an annual health observance, connects youth with resources about drugs, alcohol, and related health topics. We understand it may not be possible for some event planners to hold events during the week of NDAFW.

If your event is not displayed within that time period, please send an email to Tweet, blog, or update your Facebook status to help spread the word about your NDAFW event. Share information with your family and friends that will inspire dialogue about preventing youth drug and alcohol use. Take some time to brush up on your knowledge of drugs and their effects before your event.

Anyone can test their knowledge by following the hashtag #NDAFW and answering multiple-choice questions about drugs and alcohol. Whether you’re a returning participant or new to NDAFW, NIDA has the answers to your questions and resources to help you and your planning team make the most of this annual health observance. View NIDA’s Research Topics to find the latest science on specific substances like opioids, fentanyl, and xylazine, or explore other areas of interest, including prevention and harm reduction. Then, utilize the lessons and conversation starters to engage teens in meaningful discussions about substance use. Plan your NDAFW event using inspiration from NIDA’s activity ideas.

NDAFW is supported by many partners, including federal agencies such as the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Office of Safe and Healthy Students in the U.S. Department of Education; the Health Resources & Services Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and the Drug Enforcement Administration in the U.S. NDAFW is supported by many partners, including federal agencies such as the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Office of Safe and Healthy Students in the U.S. During National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® and year round, teens can test their knowledge about drugs, alcohol, and drug use by taking the interactive National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge quiz. NDAFW event organizers must be 18 years or older.