April is Alcohol Awareness Month

SACRAMENTO - The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recognizes the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month every April due to the high number of alcohol-related deaths each year in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 178,000 people die each year from excessive alcohol use. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-related car crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"This month serves as an important reminder to engage in conversations about the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption and to encourage safe and responsible behavior.” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough.

ABC regulates the sale, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol in California. The department recognizes the serious health and public safety concerns surrounding alcohol, especially when it is misused. Licensees and bystanders are also encouraged to do their part by reporting any signs of excessive or underage drinking to local authorities.

The effects of alcohol misuse are both deadly and expensive. Alcohol is the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), and has a role in at least 7.1% of all emergency room visits. The financial burden of alcohol misuse cost the U.S. an estimated $249 billion per year. NHTSA estimates that drunk driving crashes cost the U.S. $68.9 billion annually.