April is Alcohol Responsibility Month, a time that invites all of us to recognize the importance of responsible, mindful behaviors regarding beverage alcohol, if and when we choose to drink. The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) is encouraging Americans to look at our relationships with alcohol and make choices that reflect a dedication to safety and responsibility.
“Alcohol Responsibility Month is a good reminder that as leaders, parents, communities, and individuals, we all need to be aware of our surroundings, decisions, and behaviors,” said Leslie Kimball, Executive Director of Responsibility.org. “The overwhelming majority of American adults who choose to drink do so responsibly, and we at Responsibility.org are proud of that. But we must be vigilant about the choices we make. No one wants kids getting their hands on beverages containing alcohol. No one should ever have to share the road with a drunk driver. And we should all understand what we are drinking when we enjoy our favorite beverage with friends.”
Throughout the month, Responsibility.org will embrace “Good Friends, Good Choices, Good Times” emphasizing progress that has been made in the efforts to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors, reminding consumers to be mindful when drinking and plan for a safe ride home, and sharing resources about responsible consumption, hosting and celebrating. We will also advocate for respecting the choice of anyone who chooses to not drink—for any reason or no reason at all.
“April—Alcohol Responsibility Month—is an opportunity for us to work together to empower adults to make smart choices about alcohol,” said Chris Swonger, President and CEO of Responsibility.org and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “More teens are refraining from drinking than ever before. We are working hard to keep drunk and impaired drivers off our roads, and we know that educating people about drink sizes, what is in their drink and their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level will help them make informed, responsible choices.”
Responsibility.org will share tips with legislators and staff on Capitol Hill about responsible alcohol consumption, work with their diverse team of social media influencers to talk about underage drinking prevention and mindfulness with their communities, engage over social media, and distribute resources from the Ask, Listen, Learn underage drinking prevention program with parents and educators through partnerships with Classroom Champions, Discovery Education, and SHAPE America. The organization will also launch public service announcements made in partnership with 14 state Attorneys General from across the US.
“Alcohol Responsibility Month really is an important time for taking action, highlighting progress, and collaborating with our communities, members, and partners,” said Kimball. “We appreciate everyone who takes a few moments this month to get together with good friends, make good choices, and have good—responsible—times.”