April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the new 2026 toolkit from Rethink the Drink offers a practical set of materials to help communities across Oregon raise awareness about alcohol-related harm. The toolkit encourages a broad range of actions, from sharing social media content and posters to pitching local news stories, meeting with decision makers, and organizing public events. Its purpose is not only to support communication during April, but also to help local partners adapt the materials to their own communities and use them in ways that fit their needs.

The materials included are wide-ranging and ready for use. They feature posters, social media graphics, talking points, a fill-in-the-blank media advisory, a sample article, and sample news story pitches. The content focuses on several key themes, including the widespread presence of alcohol in everyday life, the health risks linked to alcohol use, the connection between alcohol and cancer, the dangers of impaired driving, and the value of creating safer and more supportive community environments. The toolkit also promotes practical steps, such as offering alcohol-free options, helping people reflect on their drinking, and connecting them with support resources.

A clear strength of the toolkit is that it presents alcohol harm as a community issue, not only as an individual problem. It stresses that excessive alcohol use affects health, safety, families, and public spaces, while also recognizing that many people may want to drink less without identifying as having alcohol dependence. By combining facts, communication tools, and adaptable outreach materials, the toolkit gives public health actors a concrete way to make Alcohol Awareness Month more visible, relevant, and useful at local level.

Find more from Rethink the Drink (USA, April 2026)