Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is launching a summer Rethink the Drink campaign this week to encourage people in Oregon to consider their alcohol use.
The state’s Excessive Alcohol Use Prevention Program is urging people to come together to prevent the harms of excessive alcohol use and make communities safer. People may see or hear advertisements, including on TV, radio, online and social media.
Independent evaluation data from Rethink the Drink’s recent campaigns show 92% of Oregonians agree excessive drinking causes community harm, and 66% believe alcohol should have less presence in their communities. Those exposed to the Rethink the Drink campaign were significantly more likely to have conversations about their drinking. The full evaluation report is available online.
Increase in sales, increase in harms
More than 2,500 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes every year. During summer months, the state sees liquor sales increase, which means there is more alcohol in communities and people may be drinking more.
“Whether you’re at home, attending an event or outside at a gathering, it can feel like many of our favorite summer activities encourage drinking,” says Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist at OHA. “With an increase in summer drinking, we see an increase in the harms as well.”
Jeanne adds that the immediate harms include motor vehicle crashes, boating injuries, drownings and heat deaths. “On top of these, alcohol contributes to cancer, heart disease, poor mental health, and many other health harms all year long,” he says.
- Hear Dr. Tom Jeanne discuss excessive alcohol use and ways to prevent it during summer in this video: https://youtu.be/24kQwi3XPpg.
Luis Pimentel, alcohol and drug prevention coordinator at Lane County Public Health, says, “We appreciate Rethink the Drink and this round of summer messaging reminding people to have conversations about alcohol.”
“We have so much interest in safe drinking messages from our partners in law enforcement, transportation and those who plan summer events, that we truly value Rethink the Drink’s presence in our community,” Pimentel adds.
Tips for a safe summer season:
- Plan ahead: Arrange for a designated driver and use public transportation or ride-share services.
- Host responsibly: Offer non-alcoholic beverages for summer events you’re planning.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking.
- Drink less: Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
- Decide your alcohol limit for the week: If you want to reduce your drinking, think about what triggers you to drink too much and create a plan to handle urges.
- Count: Track your drinking using a mobile app or other tools. Find resources at rethinkthedrink.com/resources
- Have conversations: Take time to pause, learn about the harms caused by excessive drinking, and talk with your loved ones about the way alcohol is prevalent in our lives and communities. Join the conversation at rethinkthedrink.com
Rethink the Drink, an OHA initiative, aims to build healthier communities by decreasing excessive drinking and the harm it causes to individuals, families, and communities. Rethink the Drink raises awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon. It aims to start conversations about alcohol’s role in our own lives and communities. Rethink the Drink is committed to OHA’s larger goal to end health inequities in our state by 2030.
Resource Links:
- OHA’s Rethink the Drink tools and resources
- ODOT’s Transportation Safety Impaired Driving Program
- Summer Safety Driving Tips
- Tips to Boat Safe and Sober
