Every year, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) holds National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) to inspire a dialog about the science of drug use and addiction among youth.

This year, NDAFW is held the week of March 20 to 26.

In the Copper Country, Houghton/Keweenaw Communities That Care (HKCTC) works to raise awareness of the risks youth face if they choose to use alcohol and other drugs.

“HKCTC has been participating in National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week with local schools for years,” said Callisto Cortez, HKCTC Coordinator. “We want teens to understand that drugs have a real impact on their brain’s development. When they have that knowledge, they can make healthier decisions for themselves.”

Plans for NDAFW 2023 are still in process. But parents who would like to talk to their children about these topics can find resources at www.houghtonkeweenawctc.com on the front page, under “News.”

Find conversation starters, signs that your teen may have a drug problem, stories of youth in recovery, and more.

Educators who are interested in bringing NDAFW to their classroom can also find links for classroom resources, lesson plans, and a Kahoot challenge on the front page of the HKCTC site.

The HKCTC is funded by NorthCare Network, Prevention Network, Portage Health Foundation, and Superior Health Foundation. They are currently seeking members for their Data/Resource Work Group as they prepare to implement this year’s CTC Youth Survey in local schools.

The data from this survey helps identify priority risk factors that youth are dealing with, and programs to address these risks.

Joining HKCTC is only a commitment of a few hours each month.

If you’re interested in becoming part of HKCTC, you can reach Callisto Cortez at hkctc@upctc.com or 906-231-0734 (talk/text).