April 2023: Alcohol Responsibility Month

WHEREAS, adolescence is a critical and often vulnerable stage of human development, and it is during this time that many youth experiment with substances such as alcohol; and,

WHEREAS, compared to those who wait until they are 21 to drink, young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to report alcohol dependence or abuse later in life, and seven times more likely to be in a motor vehicle crash due to alcohol; and,

WHEREAS, youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience problems in school and their social life, legal problems, physical and sexual assault, higher risk for suicide and homicide, and have changes in brain development that may have life-long effects; and,

WHEREAS, the solution to underage drinking comes through widespread collaboration and engagement of multiple organizations and communities with all adults doing their part to

WHEREAS, during this month, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to ask that parents, youth, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, workplaces, and all Michiganders support efforts to reduce and prevent underage drinking in our state by limiting alcohol availability to minors;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2023 as Alcohol Responsibility Month in Michigan.