Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco set April 8 as Alcohol Screening Day for the State of Louisiana, which coincides with the national screenings taking place at more than 5,000 locations across the country. In Louisiana, many of these tests  will be administered through the Department of Health and Hospitals - Office for Addictive Disorders.

"We hope citizens will take advantage of the screenings and assessments offered to learn more about alcohol and, more importantly, understand their own relationship with alcohol," said Dr. Frederick P. Cerise, DHH secretary. "By participating in one of these screenings, you can learn if you are at risk for developing an addiction to alcohol and take steps to control your intake before serious drinking problems occur."

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s "10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health," more than 14 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism, and more than half of Americans have a close relative who is an alcoholic.

Participants in National Alcohol Screening Day will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire to gauge their likelihood of developing an alcohol disorder, learn more about how to help friends and family, and receive information about how alcohol affects overall health.

"The screening process is relevant for anyone who drinks, no matter how often," said Assistant Secretary Michael Duffy. "A few casual drinks can quickly and easily become a serious problem. People must understand alcohol addiction so they will be able to know how much is too much."

To find out how you can participate in a screening activity in your area, contact one of the OAD Regional Coordinators listed above or visit www.NationalAlcoholScreeningDay.org
for a list of screening locations in Louisiana. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Screening for Mental Health and the Department of Health and Human Services also are participants in National Alcohol Screening Day.