Impact Story | Alcohol Awareness Month: What Oregonians Need to Know About Excessive Drinking

April marks Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how alcohol shows up in our lives, celebrations, and communities across Oregon. With one in five Oregon adults drinking excessively, this month has offered an opportunity to rethink our relationship with alcohol and consider ways to support those who want to drink less.
At the Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), we represent Oregon’s 33 local public health authorities who work every day to protect and promote the health of Oregonians in every corner of our state. This Alcohol Awareness Month, we wanted to amplify the efforts of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Rethink the Drink to raise awareness of how excessive alcohol use affects communities and to share the incredible work happening locally to address this important public health issue.

More Than Just a Number

Excessive alcohol use affects far more people than those with an alcohol use disorder. It’s a widespread community and public health issue. Each year, more than 2,500 people in Oregon die from excessive drinking — that’s six people every day. These numbers raise important questions about how alcohol became so embedded in everyday life and what steps we can take to protect our health and support our communities.
Many Oregonians who drink excessively don’t fit the stereotype we might picture. People in their 30s and 40s binge drink at close to the same rates as younger adults. The reality is that it’s easy to cross the line into higher-risk drinking without realizing it, partly because our society makes it easy for us to drink this way.

The Health Risks Are Real

The health risks from alcohol extend beyond hangovers and headaches. Excessive drinking increases the risk of:

Alcohol use can also disrupt sleep and lead to vehicle crashes and violence in our communities. Its presence in community spaces and at events has grown dramatically, appearing everywhere from holiday gatherings and weddings to fun runs, the movies, barbershops and salons, children’s parties, and even baby showers.

Creating Healthy Communities Together

As spring brings a season of celebration, it’s an important moment for conversations about how alcohol affects our communities and ways we can create safer, more welcoming environments. This is where local public health truly shines — in creating community conditions that make it easier for everyone to live healthier lives.
Even small actions can help:

Alcohol Awareness Month is an important time to share this information and ensure that people have access to reliable resources to help them make informed decisions.

Take Action

We’re inviting Oregonians across every county to consider how alcohol affects health, shapes our communities, and ways we can support one another to drink less.
Access Resources:

Learn More About CLHO’s Work:

Thank You to Our Partners

We’re grateful to the Oregon Health Authority and Rethink the Drink for developing comprehensive resources for Alcohol Awareness Month and for their ongoing partnership in supporting healthier communities across Oregon. Their Alcohol Awareness Month toolkit provides valuable materials that organizations and communities can use to raise awareness and start important conversations.
Together, we can create communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Questions or want to get involved?

Contact CLHO to learn more about how local public health is working to create healthier communities across Oregon.
This article was developed using resources from the Rethink the Drink 2026 Alcohol Awareness Month Toolkit, a collaboration between the Oregon Health Authority and partners across the state.