Alcohol screening day planned for Thursday

YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Network will participate in the eighth National Alcohol Screening Day by providing free, confidential telephone screenings from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday.
The goal of National Alcohol Screening Day is to reduce the number of people who are abusing or are addicted to alcohol.
Local partners in the network will answer questions and make referrals for anyone who wants information on the symptoms and effects of alcoholism or who seeks help for an alcohol-related problem. Family and friends of alcohol abusers also are encouraged to call.
The toll-free number is (888) 317-2169.
It's estimated 14 million adults in the United States abuse alcohol or are alcoholics, while more than 3 million teens age 14 to 17 are problem drinkers.
Alcohol contributes to about 100,000 deaths annually and costs society between $40 billion and $60 billion annually in lost production, health and medical care, car accidents, violent crime and treatment costs.
In Mahoning County, 327 alcohol-related crashes with 18 fatalities and 195 injuries occurred in 2004, according to the county Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board.