CHARLOTTE, N.C. — April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which is a time meant to help educate and break through the stigma that surrounds alcoholism.

 

What You Need To Know

  • April is Alcohol Awareness Month
  • The Mecklenburg County ABC Board invests back into the community to educate and rehabilitate
  • Anuvia is a prevention and recovery center in Charlotte

 

Alcohol sales shot up during the pandemic, and the Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board CEO, Keva Walton, says sales remain high. 

“Both on the retail side and on the mixed beverage permitee side, we're still seeing sales elevated above where we were say, 2019 might be a good benchmark,” he said. 

He says a lot of people don’t know that the ABC Board invests back into the community. 

"We’re a socially responsible community investor. That's become our mantra, and that really articulates who and what we are about,” said Walton. 

In the 2022 Fiscal Year, the board invested more than 25% of its profits into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. 

Through its community health and wellness grant program, the board provides grant funding to eligible nonprofit organizations and state entities that focus on alcohol and substance abuse education, treatment and prevention.

“It is so much more than just selling a bottle of alcohol. Yes, we’re retailers. Yes, that’s important to us to make sure that we're serving those customers well,” said Walton. "But it's equally as important to make sure that our community is healthy."

The board founded what’s now called Anuvia, a prevention and recovery center in Charlotte. 

In the 1950’s, the state asked ABC boards to dedicate a percentage of profits to alcohol education and rehabilitation programs. 

Anuvia CEO, Valerie Kopetzky, says walking through their door can be one of the hardest steps. 

"We recognize that our front door is the most courageous step a person can often make in their journey or in a loved one's journey,” she said. 

She and Walton say it’s OK to ask for help. 

“This month allows us to promote that idea of just come on in, let's see if we can help you or get you where you need help,” said Kopetzky. 

If you or a loved one is starting a recovery journey, you can call Anuvia at 704-376-7447.