One of those cans is an energy drink; the sort you see advertised on television or found in stores. One of those cans containsalcohol and in fact should not be in the hands of kids. Can you tell the difference?
Many parents can’t, say Fairfield Behavioral Health prevention specialists Cheryl Goodwin and Shemika Johnson. That’s one reason why they are trying to raise the awareness of alcohol and the many different guises it comes in.
One way awareness of alcohol and its abuses will be raised this month (which is Alcohol Awareness Month) is by the 12th Annual “Take a Step” 5K Run/Walk.
“Since our agency is about alcohol/substance
abuse and awareness, we wanted to make the community aware that we can all come together to help the families, help the individuals who are suffering from alcohol/substance abuse.
“The run and walk are a demonstration of how you can make healthy choices in your life, and when you make healthy choices, it shows that you’re being responsible,” said Cheryl Goodwin.
The Behavioral Health Services walk and run were inspired by the Laura Griffin Memorial 5 K Run. Laura Griffin was a behavioral health services director in Charleston who was killed by a drunk driver, explained Shemika Johnson.
The Fairfield County version of the walk started with slight participation, about 25 participants. In the 12 years since it began, it can now boast over 170 runners and walkers.
The Run and Walk don’t just promote a healthy lifestyle; it also gives the prevention specialists at FBHS a chance to bring their message to the people.
“We want people to realize (and the Alcohol Awareness Run and Walk is a perfect time to do this) that alcohol/substance abuse is a disease. I guess people don’t think of that, because alcohol is so accessible.
“We’re trying to increase the awareness this year, because of the increase in underage drinking, and the increased focus on underage drinking, what with the new DUI law,” said Goodwin.
Another way the public awareness will be raised the day of the walk/run is a multimedia presentation by the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office on what Goodwin and Johnson call the “alcohol fads” that parents need to watch out for.
Goodwin points out, “notice when you go into a store if you want to buy a beer, many places have specials on them, 89 cents. But if you go to buy a bottle of water, you’re paying about $1.50. What is that saying? It tells you ‘I’d rather drink a beer’.
“And some companies are making these energy-type drinks with alcohol look so much like the regular energy drinks, so if you’re not aware of this, your child can be sitting there drinking an energy drink that contains alcohol, right under your nose,” said Goodwin.
Shemika Johnson added that there are now frozen popsicles being made that have alcohol, another way for an underage drinker to be “sneaking” alcohol without their parents knowing it.
With prom and high school graduation just around the corner, Fairfield Behavioral Health is looking into other ways to raise awareness, like attaching flyers promoting healthy choices to pizza boxes and on dry cleaning bags.
5K Run and Walk
For the 12th year in a row, Fairfield Behavioral Health Services invites you to Take A Step for Alcohol Awareness.
Saturday, April 25, 2009 is the 12th running of the Take A Step 5K run and walk to support the idea of alcohol awareness.
Cheryl Goodwin said the race route will be the same as in previous years; the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety will close off the roads of the run/walk route, as before, the run will begin at the Good Samaritan House and the walk will begin at Gazebo Park, and both will end at Gazebo Park.
Late registration the day of the run/walk is 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. and the 3.1 mile run begins at 8 a.m. The 1.8 mile walk begins at 8:30 a.m. The awards ceremony is at 10 a.m.
Group registration for an individual for the 5K run/walk is $15, or $10 for groups of 5 or more. Late registration (and registrations can be taken up to the day of the event) is $18 for individual and $12 per group.
The group with the largest number of participants will receive $200.
For more details call Cheryl Goodwin or Shemika Johnson at (803) 635-2335.
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