Talk it Out NC Celebrates 10 Years of Spreading Awareness About Underage Drinking Prevention

Talk it Out NC Celebrates 10 Years of Spreading Awareness About Underage Drinking Prevention

Organization Looks Back on Decade of Conversation, Prevention, and Service

 Raleigh, NC (Sept. 19, 2024) – Today marks a major milestone for Talk it Out NC, North Carolina’s initiative to prevent underage drinking. The organization is thrilled to celebrate a decade of prevention advocacy across the Tar Heel State. Talk it Out NC, a program of the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, provides teens, parents, coaches, mentors, and others with the resources, facts, and information needed to have impactful conversations and prevent underage alcohol consumption.

 “When we launched this initiative in 2014, the ABC Commission aimed to reduce underage drinking, spread awareness of the importance of following the law, and share the facts about the harmful effects of underage alcohol consumption — and we ’ve certainly made great strides to accomplish that mission,” explains Hank Bauer, Chairman of the ABC Commission. “We knew Talk it Out NC would have a tremendous impact on our communities, and seeing North Carolina families start the conversation about alcohol shows that the discussions we are leading are making a difference. But our work is not done yet and we look forward to continuing these conversations for many years to come.”

At the core of Talk it Out NC is a grassroots effort led by a team of professionals and community advocates known as Talk it Out NC Ambassadors.  “Our ambassadors serve as the face of Talk it Out NC.  Each member has deep understanding of and connection to underage drinking issues,” explains Burna Mattocks, Director of Special Services of the ABC Commission. “They do a fantastic job traveling across the state to share Talk it Out NC’s core messaging and working with community groups, schools, educational fairs, high school sports events, and other organizations.”

Talk it Out NC also spreads the word about the importance of underage drinking prevention through various campaigns, outreach, and fact-sharing efforts, including:

• Start the Conversation to Prevent Underage Drinking: Talk it Out NC has compiled years of research and best practices to create helpful guides and age-appropriate conversation starters, enabling families to better understand and discuss the dangerous effects of underage drinking.
• Take the Pledge: Talk it Out NC formed the Pledge Program, which gives teens, parents, and mentors the opportunity to commit to underage drinking prevention. It serves as a self-contract to encourage our communities to wait to consume alcohol.
• Comprehensive Research: Talk it Out NC regularly releases reports and research on underage drinking in North Carolina.
• The 2023 State of Underage Drinking report showed that nearly all middle and high school students in North Carolina believe that talking to their parents about underage drinking can help prevent it.

In addition to a consistent social media presence and regularly updated articles on the organization’s website, Talk it Out NC hosts giveaways and contests to ensure the conversation about alcohol reaches multiple audiences across the state.

The ABC Commission and Talk it Out NC are committed to starting conversations and spreading the facts about underage drinking. Parents, mentors, and teens can get involved to help everyone Talk it Out. To learn more about Talk it Out NC, visit talkitoutnc.org.

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 About Talk it Out NC:

The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission launched the Talk it Out NC campaign in 2014. The goal of this multimedia awareness and engagement campaign is to reduce underage drinking by encouraging conversations between responsible adults and young people. Talk it Out NC offers resources for parents and others who need guidance in talking to their children about the dangers of underage drinking. This aligns with the ABC Commission’s mission of working to strengthen the public health, wellness, and safety of communities across North Carolina.

Visit www.TalkitOutNC.org to get the conversation started.