What is Reach Out Now?

Reach Out Now is a collaboration by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Scholastic Inc., to provide school-based, underage alcohol use prevention materials in time for Alcohol Awareness Month each April. This two-part set of materials is designed especially for use by fifth- and sixth-grade students, their families, and their teachers, and is sent to fifth- and sixth-grade classroom teachers nationwide each year.

What is a Reach Out Now National Teach-In?

Teach-Ins are an opportunity for prominent national, youth, State, and local leaders-using a research-based curriculum and other helpful materials provided by SAMHSA-to teach fifth and sixth graders, parents, teachers, and the community about the dangers of underage alcohol use and encourage young people to make healthy decisions.

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Describe some of the effects of alcohol on the brain and body
• Identify effective alternatives to using alcohol
• Work in groups to develop an effective alcohol prevention message.

How can I hold a Teach-in

Teach-Ins can occur any time during the year, but we encourage you to conduct your event during Alcohol Awareness Month in April.

Why is it important?

According to SAMHSA's 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 10.7 million persons aged 12 to 20 years (27.9 percent of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Approximately 7.2 million (18.6 percent) were binge drinkers, and 2.3 million (6.0 percent) were heavy drinkers. These figures have remained essentially the same since the 2002 survey.

According to another national survey, about 60 percent of eighth graders said alcohol is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get. For 12th graders, the proportion was much higher: 92 percent.