APRIL 8 IS ALCOHOL SCREENING DAY

DEAR ANN: Nearly 14 million people in the United States -- one in
every 13 adults -- abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. In addition, there
are countless more who binge-drink or who may be on the verge of
developing a serious problem. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism and the National Mental Illness Screening Project are
offering the first National Alcohol Screening Day Thursday, April 8.
There will be 2,000 screening sites, 500 of them on college campuses,
offering free, anonymous screening sessions for a range of alcohol
problems. This is an opportunity for anyone concerned about themselves
or a loved one to seek education and advice in a non-threatening
environment. The program can benefit college students who wonder how
many drinks are considered a ``binge.'' It can help if your spouse
drinks too much or you have an alcoholic family member and are
concerned about the risk of inheriting the illness.

Participants will have the opportunity to talk with a health
professional and will be given the names and phone numbers of support
services and treatment facilities. All screenings are free and anonymous.

Ann, please urge your readers to take advantage of this program. They
can find a site in their area by calling (800) 697-6700. No shame, no
guilt, just honest questions, honest answers and a helping hand.

Enoch Gordis, M.D., director, NIAAA, part of the National Institutes
of Health

DEAR DR. GORDIS: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell my
readers about National Alcohol Screening Day.

Readers, especially college students, if you have any questions about
alcohol, or if you know someone who could benefit from this anonymous
screening, please call the number today to find a site in your area.
It could save your life or the life of someone you love.

Write to Ann Landers in care of Silicon Valley Life, the Mercury News,
750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95190. Enclose an addressed,
stamped envelope.