Did You Know? Alcohol Awareness Month Spotlight on Alcopops

Images from Director Caitlin Anderson, Connecticut’s Liquor Control Division (2024)

Alcopops—those sweet, flavored alcoholic beverages that resemble soda or juice—may look harmless, but they pack a punch. Their sugary taste and fun packaging can make it easy to forget just how strong they really are. For example: A 23.5 oz can of Four Loko at 12% alcohol contains the equivalent of about 4.7 standard drinks—in just one can! That’s more than many people realize, and it increases the risk of overconsumption, especially among youth.

To make matters more complex, these drinks are increasingly being co-branded with popular, youth-recognizable names like Dunkin’, Coca-Cola, Minute Maid, Mountain Dew, and Arizona Iced Tea. This kind of marketing blurs the line between non-alcoholic beverages and alcohol, making it harder—especially for young people—to tell the difference.

Popular examples of alcopops include:

Twisted Tea
White Claw Surge
Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Four Loko
Simply Spiked Lemonade
Mountain Dew Hard
Arizona Hard Iced Tea

This Alcohol Awareness Month, take a moment to read the labels, talk with youth about these products, and stay alert to how alcohol is being marketed in new, appealing ways.

Coalition Updates

Take Down Tobacco Day

On April 1st, students from the Outreach Club teamed up with Greenwich Together to host an engaging, youth-led table event in the GHS cafeteria in honor of Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action. This national initiative empowers young people to stand up against the tobacco industry and promote healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles.

During lunch waves, students asked their peers trivia questions about the risks of vaping and nicotine use. Those who answered correctly received fun prizes—all while learning important facts about tobacco prevention. This collaborative effort showcased the power of youth leadership and peer-to-peer education in raising awareness and encouraging positive choices at GHS.

Community Service Day

At their most recent meeting, members of the Greenwich Together Youth Coalition came together to support individuals transitioning out of treatment at Liberation Programs. With care and compassion, the youth assembled bags filled with essential items such as towels, blankets, hygiene products, water bottles, USB drives, and notebooks—practical tools to help individuals as they take the next steps in their recovery journey.

Adding a personal touch, the students also wrote and decorated heartfelt motivational cards to include in each bag, offering words of encouragement and hope. This meaningful project was a beautiful example of youth giving back to their community and showing that even small gestures can make a big impact.

Safe Driving Day

On April 24th, the Outreach Club at Greenwich High School held an impactful Safe Driving Day event to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. The highlight of the day was an incredibly well-executed accident demonstration that left a lasting impression on students and staff alike.

The Outreach Club did an amazing job organizing and hosting this event. Their dedication to promoting safety and responsible decision-making was clear in every detail, and their efforts made a real impact on the school community. Hats off to these student leaders for using their voices and creativity to make a difference!

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Parenting in an Addictive World: When to Step In & How to Help

Parenting in today’s world means navigating a minefield of addictive temptations—social media, pornography, and substances can pull kids in before they even realize what’s happening. So how do you know when to step in, and how can you help without pushing them away? Join Kriya Lendzion, a counselor and prevention expert with over 30 years of experience, as she shares real-world strategies to help you guide your child through these challenges with warmth, structure, and impact. Drawing from her own journey through teen addiction, Kriya offers insight into what’s really going on beneath risky behaviors and how you can intervene in ways that build trust and lasting change.

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