Join the mayor in declaring April as “Alcohol Awareness Month”

Mayor’s Message: Michael Mignogna

The Voorhees Township Committee is joining municipalities nationwide in declaring April as “Alcohol Awareness Month.” Founded by the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (NCADD) 26 years ago, the purpose is to draw attention to the problems related to alcohol abuse, particularly those that affect our youth.

The following facts must be shared:

• More than 23 million people over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol.
• Approximately 11 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 are “binge drinkers” and consume five or more drinks in a row on a single occasion. This statistic includes 2.1 million heavy drinkers who consume five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least five different days.
• Approximately 8 percent of our country’s eighth-graders, 25 percent of 10th-graders and 32 percent of 12th-graders have been drunk during the last month.
• The use of alcohol and other drugs is associated with the leading causes of death and injury among teenagers and young adults from such tragedies as motor vehicle accidents, homicides and suicides.
• People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21.
• Alcohol use is implicated in one-third to two-thirds of sexual assaults and acquaintance or date rape cases among teens and college students.
• Alcohol is implicated in the deaths of approximately 85,000 Americans every year, making it the nation’s third leading cause of preventable death after smoking and obesity.
• Health risks of drinking alcohol include increased incidence of cancers of the liver, esophagus, throat and larynx, as well as liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage and heart problems.
• Children who learn about the risks of alcohol from their parents are 50 percent less likely to consume alcohol.
• Use of alcohol by older brothers and sisters influences the alcohol use of younger brothers and sisters, particularly brother to brother and sister to sister.
• Sons of fathers with alcoholism are four times more likely to develop alcoholism.

According to New Jersey’s Childhood Drinking Coalition (NJCDC), “alcohol remains the drug of choice for our youth.” The NJCDC offers the following tips in communicating with our young people about the pressures associated with underage drinking:

• Establish a clear “no use” message for underage children.
• Talk to your children about alcohol and drugs.
• If you think your children are drinking, they likely are…address it now.
• Limit alcohol at your own parties since children are watching.
• Set rules. Voice them and follow them.
• Curfews work. Enforce them.
• Know the whereabouts of your children.
• Refuse to provide alcohol or allow those under 21 to drink in your house.
• Secure and monitor any alcohol you may have in your home.

Together, we can help keep our children safe.

• Special Needs Parents, Educators and Kids (SPEAK) will hold an all abilities 5K Run/1 Mile Walk on Saturday, April 14 at the Eastern Regional High School Stadium. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The run begins at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. The cost for adults older than 18 is $15 and for children is $10.

SPEAK is the parent-faculty association for families with special needs in the Voorhees Township Public School District and money raised will support the cause. Register online by April 11 at www.southjerseyspeak.org or on the morning of the event. For more information go to speak@southjerseyspeak.org or call (856) 808–0048.

• The 18th Annual Charity Bowling Tournament sponsored by Remington & Vernick Engineers will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 30 Strikes, 501 White Horse Pike, Stratford. There are four separate sessions between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. The $20 cost includes live entertainment, food and refreshments as well as bowling. A cash bar will be available. Proceeds will benefit the Alicia Rose “Victorious” Foundation, The Little Rock Foundation, The Canuso Foundation, The Ellie Koerner Leukemia Fund and The Mary Anne Mazanec Ovarian Cancer Foundation. For more information, visit www.victoriousfoundation.org.

• The Fourth Annual Community “Walk 4 Family & Friends with Cancer” will be held on Sunday, April 22, at 8 a.m. at Connolly Park on Centennial Boulevard. Proceeds will benefit the Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients Program and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. The entry fee is $25 per person, $15 per child age 6–18 by April 17 or $30 the date of the event. For more information, visit www.walk 4family-friendswithcancer.org.

• On Saturday, April 28, the Voorhees Animal Orphanage will hold its Sixth Annual Wag’n Walk fundraiser at Connolly Park. The event is for dog owners and their pets and is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event features vendors, refreshments and pets for adoption. Since 1988, VAO has been dedicated to providing shelter, food and medical care to stray and unwanted animals until permanent homes can be found. To register online visit www.firstgiving.com/awagnwalk. For more information about the VAO, visit www.animalorphanage.

• On Sunday, April 29, Virtua Hospital in Voorhees will host the March of Dimes March of Babies at its campus located on Route 73. The 4-mile walk raises funds to support babies born prematurely or with birth defects. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the march begins at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Susan Sczechowicz at ssczechowicz@marchofdimes.com or call (856) 375–8214.