From Monday through Feb. 2, personnel from Fort Huachuca's Army Substance Abuse Program and local schools will join forces with other teens, parents, and scientists across the nation in a week-long effort to shatter the myths on drugs during National Drug Facts Week 2014, or NDFA. The week-long health observance is organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

As part of the NDFW celebration, Buena High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students will be able to ask questions about drugs and get scientific answers from experts during the National Drug Week "Chat Day" on Tuesday. Students from Colonel Smith Middle School will have trivia events. By initiative of Christa Jones, Colonel Smith Middle School principal, the school will host a Parent Night Drug Awareness session on Thursday at 6 p.m.

About a third of high school seniors across the country report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year, and more than 10 percent report non-medical use of a narcotic painkiller. While drugs can put a teenager's health and life in jeopardy, many teens are not aware of the risks. Even for those teens who do not abuse drugs, many have friends or Family who do, and they are often looking for ways to help them.

According to the Center for Disease Control 2011 report, 11.4 percent of teens in Arizona tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 compared with 8.1 nationwide and 21.3 percent of Arizona teens drank alcohol before turning 13, compared with 20.5 percent across the nation.

"We invite parents, teens, and the entire Fort Huachuca community to have the opportunity to learn what science has taught us about drug abuse and addiction," said Rosa Peralta-Imamura, Army Substance Abuse Prevention coordinator.

"The CDC report indicates that 34.6 percent of students in Arizona were offered, sold or given an illicit drug by someone on school property. National Drug Facts Week is for teens to get honest answers about drugs so they can make good, informed decisions for themselves and share accurate information with friends."

The Army Substance Abuse Prevention Program will sponsor a Drug Facts Week trivia. The community is invited to answer the questions posted daily at https://www.facebook.com/#!/u.s.armyforthuachuca. One selected winner will receive a $25 gift card.

To receive a copy of the "Shatter the Myths" booklet or for more information about Drug Facts Week, visit the Fort Huachuca Army Substance Abuse Program, Building 22414, Christy Ave., or call the prevention coordinator, 533.1315.