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Family Day highlights parental involvement to thwart drug abuse

Sacramento State is partnering with several local businesses and organizations to emphasize the importance of parental engagement in reducing substance abuse in children and teens by encouraging families to eat a meal together on Monday, Sept. 25.

Family Day is a national effort put together by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse that emphasizes the importance of regular family meals. Research by the center has consistently found that the more often children eat meals with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. The belief is that conversations that take place during meals help parents learn about their children’s lives and the day-to-day challenges they face. This year will mark the fifth anniversary of the event, which is celebrated on the fourth Monday in September.

“We draw many of our students from the Sacramento Region, and if we can educate them about healthy habits early on, then we’re helping them to be successful,” says Heather Dunn Carlton, coordinator of the Alcohol Education Program. “Most students aren’t coming to college and drinking for the first time. They have well-established behaviors already set in place. We’re trying to delay the onset of alcohol consumption and lower abuse so we have a healthier student population.”

Studies have shown that underage, high-risk drinking among young people in the Sacramento area is significant. Fully 25 percent of ninth-grade students and 35 percent of eleventh-grade students report drinking alcohol during the previous 30 days. And 29 percent of Sacramento County 7th graders reported using alcohol—a statistic that is higher than the state average of 25 percent.

Data collected from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse shows that children and teens who have frequent family dinners are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine with their families infrequently. They are also more likely to get better grades in school, have healthier eating habits and are more emotionally content and have positive peer relationships.

For more information on Family Day, contact Dunn-Carlton at 278-6905 or visit www.projecthelp.org.