Governor youngkin proclames April as alcohol awareness month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, a recent Virginia Youth Survey found that more than 15 percent of Virginia students reported having their first full drink of alcohol before age 13 and more than 25 percent of Virginia high school students had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days; and,

WHEREAS, more than 15 percent of adults in Virginia binge drink according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and,

WHEREAS, last year there were 6,259 alcohol related crashes resulting in 3,908 injuries and 239 fatalities in Virginia according to preliminary data; and,

WHEREAS, alcohol consumption has increased nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic; and,
WHEREAS, in Virginia we must increase awareness of issues related to alcohol and promote public safety through the responsible sale and regulation of alcoholic beverages and provide resources for individuals and organizations to reduce underage and high-risk drinking; and,

WHEREAS, alcohol education and prevention programming can help communities, families and friends support the development of a healthy relationship with alcohol; and,

WHEREAS, Alcohol Awareness Month is a national observance held every April to increase public awareness and understanding about the dangers associated with alcohol consumption, which is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 2022 as ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.