By Quinn O’Hara

March 18 through 24 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, or NDAFW.

According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, NDAFW was launched in 2010 and was designed to promote conversations about the science of drug and alcohol use and addiction among youth across the nation.

According to the NIAAA, drinking alcohol before age 15 increases the risk for alcohol use disorders, and even a small amount of alcohol can cause memory impairment.

The CDC says teens who use cannabis are more likely to quit high school or college compared to their peers who do not use cannabis.

SAMHSA reports that using any opioid, including prescriptions, can cause physical dependence on opioids.

The CDC states that over 150 individuals die each day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Organizations across the nation are holding community events around this time to increase awareness of these issues and more. In recognition of NDAFW, the Clay Counts Coalition has partnered with Jenni Ebert to share on the dangers of the fentanyl crisis in small town Kansas during their next Courageous Conversations night on March 28.