From the Delaware Public Health District
The Delaware Public Health District’s Community Health Assessment (CHA) reported in 2022 that 33 percent of male adults stated they had five or more alcoholic drinks and female adults reported four or more alcoholic drinks on a single occasion in the past month – making them what would be considered binge drinkers.
In response, the Health District’s Community Health division joined forces with Prevention Awareness Support Services (PASS) to address the 2023-2028 Community Health Improvement Plan priority of Mental Health and Addiction and its specific strategy to “reduce adult binge drinking”.
PASS offers the program Minimize Risk, Maximize Life (MRML), an evidence-based, low-risk drinking program designed with respect toward adults. MRML consists of one two-hour session that covers eight sections of alcohol-related topics through guided discussion.
“Alcoholic beverages are the most used and abused substance for people of all ages and its consumption is normalized in social context,” said DPHD Community Health Specialist, Aly Sawyer. “But it can render severe consequences for individuals, families, and communities.”
Sawyer added that by applying MRML, adults will learn how to minimize their risk for alcohol problems while maximizing the quality of their lives.
DPHD and PASS are looking forward to their collaboration to implement this course within Delaware County. Individuals interested in learning more about MRML or stay informed on the progression of DPHD’s collaboration with PASS, please contact Aly Sawyer at asawyer@delawarehealth.org.
PASS is a non-profit organization serving Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Union, Delaware, Morrow, Van Wert, Mercer, and Paulding Counties. PASS provides education, programming, and resource referral for critical issues. Visit passaah.org for more information.
