RALEIGH, N.C. – Nearly 6,000 people died from alcohol-related causes in North Carolina in 2022, with about 32,000 being sent to emergency rooms in the state, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

Those statistics spurred Gov. Roy Cooper to declare April Alcohol Awareness Month.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Roy Cooper declared April Alcohol Awareness Month

  • An average of 4,452 annual deaths in North Carolina are attributable to excessive alcohol use, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics

  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports nearly 20% of youth between 12 and 20 self-reported that they drank alcohol in the last 30 days

Wanda Boone, an ambassador with Talk it Out NC, underscores the critical need to address alcohol use prevention among underage North Carolinians.

“All over North Carolina and absolutely across the United States, we're seeing that young people are still impacted by alcohol use, not really understanding the detrimental effects that it has on a young person's brain and body,” Boone said.

Talk It Out NC is a campaign from the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission that helps provide resources for youth and adults about alcohol safety.

“One of the campaigns is called Start the Conversation. And these are note cards that parents and their children can go through together,” Boone said. “It sparks conversation, which really is at the basis of prevention in terms of making sure that everybody understands the importance of this recognition.”

When discussing responsible drinking, Boone outlined guidelines for moderation.

"Sensible drinking is zero alcohol, of course, while driving, while under the age of 21, whether you're on certain medications, and also if you are pregnant or wanting to become pregnant," she said. "Men can have two drinks of alcohol per day, and one serving of alcohol per day for females."

Addressing signs of alcohol misuse among youth, Boone emphasizes the importance of monitoring alcohol in homes.

"If your child is hiding alcohol, one of the things we really need to do is to monitor alcohol in our homes," she said. "That's where it starts."

"So if you have alcohol in your home, and you have someone that's under the age of 21, it may sound a little old-fashioned, or it may sound like it's being overprotective, but you should monitor or lock up your alcohol," Boone said.

Click here for free resources from Talk It Out NC.