2024 BEST PRACTICE AWARDS

Best Consumer Education Program

by KRYSTINA SKIBO

Being mindful about the different backgrounds and settings that everyone comes from , Talk it Out NC places extra emphasis on educating young people and their parents about the dangers of alcohol misuse through athletic-related opportunities . What started as simple fact sheets developed into an NIL ( name , image and likeness ) partnership with role model student athletes from across North Carolina , the organization states .

Due to this approach , these efforts have been well received , causing the NC ABC Commission to build on and expand this program over the coming year . Below are some of the different components of this athletics-focused education project :

Educational materials and resources . One infographic in particular highlights How Alcohol Affects Athletic Performance . These negative effects include dehydration , muscle loss , increased risk of injury and more .

Coach and student-athlete pledge . This is an expansion of Talk it Out NC ’ s pledge program between parents and their children . It asks both coaches and their teams to commit to not drinking alcohol underage and setting a good example for each other . The pledge helps initiate that conversation and to encourage the coaches to keep them going and help their student-athletes make healthy decisions .

Talk it Out games of the week . NC ABC Commission partnered with the NC High School Athletic Association

( NCHSAA ) to feature high school sports teams across the state , both boys and girls and in a variety of sports , as they gear up for big games against important rivals . Talk it Out ambassadors visit the teams and share important health information and tips , and the teams collectively pledge not to drink alcohol underage .

In-person presentations . The NC ABC Commission staff speak directly to young people during presentations and community events using their own athletic experiences and perspectives .

“ The NC ABC Commission emphasizes underage drinking prevention through our Talk it Out campaign , which is committed to meeting the public where they are in the ways that are most impactful for them ,” says NC ABC Commission chairman Hank Bauer . “ Some of our recent efforts include sharing information about how alcohol negatively impacts athletes , inspiring teams to pledge not to engage in underage drinking , celebrating collegiate athletes in North Carolina who choose to stay sober and sharing messages directly from star players about making smart and healthy decisions .”

“ Talk it Out is continuing to expand and build on projects across North Carolina involving a variety of sports , spotlighting both men ’ s and women ’ s athletics ,” notes education community outreach director Burna Mattocks . “ One example is Talk it Out ’ s partnership with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association to host “ Games of the Week ” at high schools across NC : Talk it Out NC Spreads Awareness of Underage Drinking Dangers to Teen Athletes with " Game of the Week " | AP News .”

“ Talk it Out is continuing to expand and build on projects across North Carolina involving a variety of sports , spotlighting both men ’ s and women ’ s athletics .”

– Education Community Outreach Director Burna Mattocks

18 StateWays • Fall 2024 www . stateways . com