Alcohol Awareness Month encourages working together to build healthier communities across Oregon

Excessive alcohol use, including heavy and binge drinking, is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon. It can cause liver disease, injuries, heart disease and several types of cancer.  

“Thousands of lives are lost each year in Oregon from excessive drinking, including deaths from alcohol-related diseases, alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents and violence caused by excessive drinking. We are committed to working together on solutions to save lives,” said Naomi Adeline-Biggs, OHA public health director. “We aren’t telling people not to drink. We’re asking them to think about the cues and pressure that may lead to excessive drinking, and we’re helping create spaces in Oregon that are safer for everyone.”   

In Oregon, about 1 in 5 adults drinks excessively. Most people who drink excessively are not addicted to alcohol. People in their 30s and 40s binge drink at close to the same rates as younger people. The number of older adults who drink excessively is also a concern because it can lead to serious harms that include falls, cognitive decline and other health problems.  

“Relationships with parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults are crucial for positive youth development and resilience,” said Annaliese Dolph, ADPC director. “Parents should know that drinking with parental permission during adolescence has been associated with later alcohol use, alcohol use disorders and alcohol-related harms for young adults. Additionally, youth are also four times more likely to drink alcohol if the parents in their lives binge drink. As we head into spring and summer, let’s think about our habits and the messages we send to our youth.” 

Alcohol remains the substance most widely used by teenagers in Oregon. Stopping underage drinking has significant and proven public health benefits, including reducing traffic fatalities and decreasing rates of substance abuse by adults later in life. This is why the OLCC is stepping up its compliance verification efforts across Oregon. 

“Protecting public health and safety is central to our mission,” said OLCC Commission Chair Dennis Doherty. “That’s why we want everyone who serves and sells alcohol—bars, restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores—to remain vigilant and ensure their staff adequately verify IDs. Selling alcohol to minors is not just a legal violation, it also puts Oregon youth at risk of severe and potentially life-long harms.” 

Here are tips for drinking less during 2025: 

• Count your drinks. 
• Make small shifts to drink less, such as eating while you’re drinking, or avoiding people, places or activities where you are tempted to drink more than usual. 
• Talk with your health care provider about alcohol use and ways you can improve your health. 
• When you host events, include non-alcoholic beverage options. 
• Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more. 
• Talk with people in your community about excessive alcohol use and ways we can build healthier environments.  

The OHA health initiative Rethink the Drink helps educate communities about the harms of excessive alcohol use. OHA funds partners in every county and Tribal community to prevent substance abuse and is committed to working with communities to find long-term, community-oriented solutions to public health dangers like excessive use of alcohol. 

Note: If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-4357.