Celebrate Your Family On Monday, September 25th With Family Day

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the opioid epidemic continues to make front page news, parents are seeking additional guidance on how to raise children to make responsible decisions about drug use. Fortunately, there is one thing all parents can do to help their kids grow up healthy: get involved.

Research shows that teens are less likely to drink, smoke or use drugs when they feel their parents are actively involved in their lives.^[i] In recognition of the simple, everyday activities parents do to create strong relationships with their children, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* invites parents, businesses and community organizations to celebrate Family Day on Monday, September 25^th, 2017.

"Today more than ever, parents need to take an active role in protecting their children from the harms of drug use," said Joseph J. Plumeri, executive chairman of CASA. "Family Day reminds us that the most important thing we can do for our kids is to get to know them, spend time with them and start talking to them when they're young. Being a parent is hard, but spending time with your kids is one simple thing any parent can do to guarantee they have a bright future."

To celebrate Family Day, parents and kids may consider trying the following activities:

• Eat dinner together
• Ask open ended questions that can't be answered with a "yes" or "no"
• Play a board game
• Go for a walk
• Do everyday tasks together such as cooking, cleaning or running errands
• Share a family photo on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MyFamilySelfie

For even more inspiration, parents may download the Family Day Parent Toolkit, which is filled with fun suggestions the whole family can enjoy.

What started in 2001 as a grassroots initiative to inform parents about the benefits of frequent family dinners is now a national movement reaching over 33,000 community groups across the country. Family Day has partnered with numerous organizations to promote its message to parents about how everyday activities, like sharing a meal, playing a game or asking about their day, can make a difference in the life of a child. With the support of community leaders, Major League Baseball teams and presenting sponsors--Quest Diagnostics and The Coca-Cola Company--Family Day helps communities prevent teen substance use.

"Being present matters," said Steve Rusckowski, chairman, president and CEO of Quest Diagnostics. "CASA's research has consistently found a relationship between children having frequent dinners with their parents and a decreased risk of their smoking, drinking or using other drugs. We know it is important for kids to know that there's someone who will listen and help them make good choices."

For more information about how parents, community groups and businesses can participate in Family Day visit www.CASAFamilyDay.org.

About The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
We are a national nonprofit research and policy organization focused on improving the understanding, prevention and treatment of substance use and addiction. Founded in 1992 by former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Joseph A. Califano, Jr., our interdisciplinary experts collaborate with others to promote effective policies and practices. For more information, visit www.centeronaddiction.org.

*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA") or any of its member organizations or any other organization with the name of "CASA."

^[i] Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. "National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings." Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Accessed August 18, 2017,  http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2012SummNatFindDetTables/NationalFindings/NSDUHresults2012.htm.

SOURCE The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

Related Links

http://www.centeronaddiction.org