National Institutes of Health have declared April Alcohol Awareness Month

In acknowledgement of alcohol's dangerous influence among adolescents, adults and families,

the National Institutes of Health have declared April Alcohol Awareness Month.

Below are a few alcohol related facts you may find surprising;

• Drunk driving accounts for about 16,000 alcohol-related deaths per year, only about 25% of all alcohol-related deaths. One-quarter of all emergency room admissions, one-third of all suicides, and more than half of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are alcohol-related.

• Nearly 14 million Americans – one in every 13 adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholic.* Fewer than 25% of those who need treatment get it in a given year. (*= NIAAA)

• Adolescents use alcohol more frequently than they do all other illicit drugs combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rates of current alcohol use in the survey were 3.5% among children aged 12 and 13, 13.0% among 14- and 15-year-olds, and 26.3 % among 16- and 17-year-olds. More than one million adolescents needed treatment for an alcohol use problem, although the vast majority did not receive it

• According to MADD (Mothers against Drunk Driving); NJ ranks 3rd with lowest rate of DUI fatalities as a percentage of total traffic deaths. NY ranks 11^{th, however, CT is}

improving, coming in 45th, after a 50th position .

• NY State has enacted laws requiring vehicle interlocks for ALL DUI convictions. NJ requires interlocks for repeat offenders or those whose blood alcohol level is nearly twice the illegal limit. In contrast CT ha

s no interlock laws in effect at this time, MADD worked feverishly on legislation and Interlock laws take effect 12/1/2012

•

To avoid health risks associated with alcohol, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advise those who drink to do so in moderation – defined as consuming no more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

In view of Volvo's long recognized reputation as a leader and innovator of safety, we would like to acknowledge, endorse and applaud the National Institutes of Health for sponsoring this important public awareness campaign.

LINKS

National Institutes of Health: www.nih.gov , Mothers Against Drunk Driving: www.MADD.org

Thank You and Drive Safely,

The Volvo Product Safety and Compliance Office Team