April 05, 2004 Blanco Declares April 8 National Alcohol Screening Day

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Baton Rouge --- How much alcohol is too much? How does alcohol affect my health? What can I do if I think a friend or loved one may have a problem? All these questions are ones that can be addressed in a matter of minutes on National Alcohol Screening Day.

  OAD Regional 
Coordinators

Region 1 (New Orleans):  
Landry Dixon 504-568-7943

 

Region 2 (Baton Rouge):  
Debby Cartwright 225-925-4093

 

Region 3 (Houma/Thibodaux):  
Teresa Hardin 985-857-3612

 

Region 4 (Lafayette):  
Gertrude Roy 337-262-1103

 

Region 5 (Lake Charles):  
Kristi Gott   337-491-2496

 

Region 6 (Alexandria):  
Connie Neal 337-487-5191

Region 7 (Shreveport):  
Iva Burks 318-632-2040

 

Region 8 (Monroe):  
Doris Broadnax 318-362-3270

 

Region 9 (Covington):  
Cheryl Klein 985-871-1383  

 

Region 10 (Jefferson Parish):  
Angela Henry 504-349-8759

Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco set April 8 as Alcohol Screening Day for the State of Louisiana, which coincides with the national screenings taking place at more than 5,000 locations across the country. In Louisiana, many of these tests  will be administered through the Department of Health - Office for Addictive Disorders.

"We hope citizens will take advantage of the screenings and assessments offered to learn more about alcohol and, more importantly, understand their own relationship with alcohol," said Dr. Frederick P. Cerise, LDH secretary. "By participating in one of these screenings, you can learn if you are at risk for developing an addiction to alcohol and take steps to control your intake before serious drinking problems occur."

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s "10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health," more than 14 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism, and more than half of Americans have a close relative who is an alcoholic.

Participants in National Alcohol Screening Day will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire to gauge their likelihood of developing an alcohol disorder, learn more about how to help friends and family, and receive information about how alcohol affects overall health.

"The screening process is relevant for anyone who drinks, no matter how often," said Assistant Secretary Michael Duffy. "A few casual drinks can quickly and easily become a serious problem. People must understand alcohol addiction so they will be able to know how much is too much."

To find out how you can participate in a screening activity in your area, contact one of the OAD Regional Coordinators listed above or visit www.NationalAlcoholScreeningDay.orgfor a list of screening locations in Louisiana. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Screening for Mental Health and the Department of Health and Human Services also are participants in National Alcohol Screening Day.

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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