From Dry January to Fake Cocktails, Inside the New Temperance Movement

To address a major teen drinking problem, Iceland began pushing teens toward joining clubs and organizations and participating in outdoor recreation like fishing and skating. As a result, the percentage of teens who got drunk at least once a month dropped from 45% to just 5% and similar practices are picking up speed in other areas, like West Virginia.

In an effort to promote health and wellness and reduce instances of officer misconduct, the Baltimore Police Departmenr launched a program in 2018 that connects officers with counseling, substance use treatment and other mental and physical health supports. Over the course of the program, more than 250 officers have signed themselves into a voluntary, confidential alcohol addiction program and been able to keep working.

In collaboration with local government and organizations, The Carter Center launched an initiative to curb the spread of neglected tropical diseases, like river blindness. Throughout the initiative, the Center provided health education to rural communities most affected by the disease and also led a mass drug administration of Mectizan, which is known to kill the parasite that causes river blindness. Over 20 years, the Center administered 27 million doses of the medication, effectively eliminating the disease.

The Community Reorientation Women Network (CRoWN) initiative is working to increase immunization rates among children by leveraging trained community volunteers to identify zero-dose children and help connect them and their families with vaccination resources. Three months into the initiative’s pilot phase, CRoWN volunteers managed to reach 99% of identified zero-dose children, leading to increased vaccination rates among youth.

The Damilola Sickle Cell Foundation provides emotional support and resources to people with sickle cell anemia. The group connects with those in need via WhatsApp and provides monetary support, connections to medical attention and treatment, and support from those who understand what it’s like to have the disease. The group has about 200 people that it checks on and provides free medications to each month.

To help fight high rates of cholera, door-to-door campaigns by various health assistants are helping to spread information about the disease and prevention measures. Health assistants inspect sanitary facilities, provide chlorine and other water purification methods, and educate people on the importance of purifying their water before drinking.

Studies show that people who participate in Dry January experience lasting benefits like drinking less in the long run and making other changes to their drinking habits that lead to improved health and wellness. A month of sobriety can lead to opportunities to form new habits and experience health benefits like weight loss, better sleep and mood and energy boosts.

The 24/7 Sobriety program requires repeat offenders of alcohol-related crimes to submit to breathalyzer tests twice a day as a condition of a pre-trial bond or sentencing agreement. Failure to remain sober results in jail time. Since 24/7 Sobriety started in 2005, there have been more than 39,000 participants and nearly 12.5 million tests administered, with a pass rate of 98.8%. Studies have also found a reduction in DUI and domestic violence arrests in states that adopt the program.

The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Center of Excellence — which recently received an increase in funding — works to connect families with education and resources regarding fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD). The funding is intended to address the backlog of families in need of a formal FASD diagnosis.

The WSU Greek Row hard alcohol ban emerged after a student and fraternity member died from alcohol poisoning. To ensure Greek life members are respecting the ban and staying safe, registered functions have sober volunteers to monitor the event and help out in case there’s a dangerous situation.