Idaho Recovery Month

Share a Meal with Your Family, Help Decrease Stress and Risk of Youth Substance Use

Eat Together Idaho is a new initiative brought to you by the Office of Drug Policy’s Be the Parents campaign. Eat Together Idaho encourages families to eat regular meals together to prevent underage drinking and youth substance use. Studies show that eating together as a family is one of the best ways to build and maintain strong relationships with your kids.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, frequent family meals are linked to lower rates of substance use and stress, and increased self-esteem and academic performance among adolescents.

It's simple. Pick a time of day to eat a meal with your family regularly. It doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, just as long as you’re together.

from Idaho Dept of Health and Welfare newsletter, 2022