NDAFW was created to improve the prevention and awareness of substance misuse in communities and nationwide by connecting everyone, from scientists, students, and educators to health care providers and community partners. NDAFW is an annual, week-long observance in which local educational events link teens with science-based facts about drugs and alcohol through live and online activities across the country. Since its inception in 2010, NDAFW has continued to grow, with planners organizing nearly 2,000 events in all 50 states and in 20 countries last year. Due to COVID-19, many NDAFW local events may be cancelled, rescheduled, or adjusted to a virtual/remote activity. In an evolving public health landscape, it is critical that we prioritize data-informed prevention strategies when responding to the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

Share information with your family and friends that will inspire dialogue about preventing youth drug and alcohol use. The 2025 events map features events and activities that will take place during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®. NIDA now has four online, interactive quizzes that can help students learn more about drug use, addiction, and coping with stress while testing their knowledge.

Making Prevention a Priority During National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week

New and returning event planners, check out the ideas below for some easy ways to get involved and stay engaged throughout the week. See writing prompts and discussion ideas to complement this relatable and informative video series featuring NIDA scientists. Choose from an what are whippets? Occulus VR experience or a YouTube video, and immerse yourself in a journey to learn how alcohol affects each structure in the brain.

NDAFW is supported by many partners, including federal agencies such as the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Office of Safe and Healthy Students in the U.S. Department of Education; the Health Resources & Services Administration and 2cb effects the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and the Drug Enforcement Administration in the U.S. “The challenges that alcohol and drugs pose to young people are an ever-present reality. The value and importance of working with our NIDA colleagues to provide accurate information about how alcohol and drugs affect the brains and bodies of young people is critical,” said NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D.

View the Events Map

NIDA’s latest quiz, Know the Facts About Overdose, helps students learn more about what causes drug overdoses, how to recognize one, and how to help save a life. See tips on how to promote NDAFW events, including reaching out to media, hosting an online event, sharing your event… Every teen faces stress, and it’s important that they have healthy ways to cope. Teach young people tools to deal with stress in healthy ways so they can feel good without turning to substances.

Find opportunities and resources for youth!

1. The value and importance of working with our NIDA colleagues to provide accurate information about how alcohol and drugs affect the brains and bodies of young people is critical,” said NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D.
2. NDAFW is a joint initiative of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which are both part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
3. Youth.gov is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs.
4. Make sure to register your event, have it listed on the Events Map, or promote it as an NDAFW event.
5. We understand it may not be possible for some event planners to hold events during the week of NDAFW.
6. NDAFW participants have promoted youth skill-building and encouraged youth to share their personal motivations for adopting healthy behaviors for mind and body.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use alcohol storage and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health, and work with leading organizations, media outlets, and other Government agencies to spread the word about NDAFW.

Registration is quick and easy and gives you added benefits, including getting your event listed on NIDA’s events map. Access free lesson plans and activities on the science and consequences of drug use, including downloads, videos, and Kahoot! Alcohol, vapes, and cigarettes are some of the most widely available substances that young people will encounter. Teach youth about the dangers of alcohol and nicotine with cutting-edge VR videos, Kahoot! All members of your community, young and old, can benefit from these science-based insights. Recent research tells us that how youth and young adults perceive harm from drugs and alcohol is often wrong.

The purpose is to educate and inspire conversations about the science behind drug use and addiction among youth. This is a great opportunity for scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers and community partners to come together and improve the prevention and awareness of substance misuse in local communities. This year’s National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®(NDAFW) takes place March 21-27, 2022. NDAFW is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners—to help advance the science, so that we can improve the prevention and awareness of substance misuse. Register your event or activity so it can be featured on the order free materials, and learn more.