Welcome to March!
Our website recognizes monthly awareness dates.
We only provide information that is pertinent to addiction, recovery and to the agency's vision and mission statements.
March Awareness Days
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March 8, 2026 : Daylight Saving Time
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March 10, 2026 : National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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March 20, 2026 : First Day of Spring
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March 20, 2026 : National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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March 22, 2026 : National Health Care Rights Day
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March 24 2026 : American Diabetes Association Alert Day
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March 26, 2026 : Epilepsy Awareness Day
Daylight Saving Time
March 8, 2026
On Sunday, March 8, 2026, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. Clocks will “spring forward” one hour to 3:00 a.m., bringing longer daylight in the evening and darker mornings.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 10, 2026
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is observed annually on March 10th. This day brings awareness to the effects of HIV on women and girls, reinforcing the urgency of education, prevention, testing, and access to treatment.
This year marks the 14th annual observance, with a strong focus on addressing the unequal impact of HIV/AIDS on Black and Hispanic women.
First Day of Spring
March 20, 2026
The First Day of Spring is Friday, March 20, 2026.
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 20, 2026
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) is observed each year on March 20. The day raises awareness about the health disparities affecting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
Established in 2007, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day brings attention to the impact of HIV in Native communities by confronting systemic inequities and advancing education on prevention and early detection.
National Health Care Rights Day
March 22, 2026
National Health Care Rights Day, established by Triage Cancer, is recognized each year on March 22.
Due to complex medical systems, National Health Care Rights Day raises awareness to providers, caregivers, and patients about healthcare laws and legal rights - helping to ensure that everyone in need has access to quality care, that’s affordable.
American Diabetes Association Alert Day
March 24, 2026
Observed every year on the fourth Tuesday of March, American Diabetes Association Alert Day raises awareness about diabetes risk and prevention.
This one-day "wake-up call" aids in bringing awareness to the seriousness of type 2 diabetes. Adults are encouraged to take a quick, one-minute anonymous risk assessment to better understand their personal risk. The test helps individuals recognize and identify contributing factors — such as family history, age, and weight so they can take steps toward prevention or effective management.
Epilepsy Awareness Day
March 26, 2026
Epilepsy Awareness Day, commonly called Purple Day, was established by Cassidy Megan in 2008 and is observed each year on March 26.
This day highlights epilepsy and its impact on 1 in 26 people. Its purpose is to educate the public about the condition and break down the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it.
Nicotine Prevention
All tobacco and nicotine products- whether smoked, chewed, or vaped pose serious health risks. While some products may carry relatively lower risks than others, none are safe, and all can contribute to addiction, disease, and long-term health complications. Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant found in tobacco products and most e-cigarettes. It acts on the brain’s reward system, reinforcing repeated use and making cessation difficult.
1. Product-Specific Health Risks
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A. Cigars and Cigarillos
- Contain as much nicotine as cigarettes, sometimes more.
- Produce thicker, more toxic smoke due to fermentation.
- Linked to oral, esophageal, laryngeal, and lung cancers.
- Increase risk of heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Secondhand smoke from cigars is highly toxic.
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B. Chewing Tobacco (Smokeless)
- Includes chew, snuff, and nicotine pouches.
- Causes oral cancers, gum disease, and tooth loss.
- Increase risk of pancreatic cancer and nicotine addiction.
- Delivery high doses of nicotine, often more than cigarettes.
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C. E-Cigarettes, E-Liquid, and Vaping
- Most contain nicotine, even when labeled ·nicotine-free. ·- Aerosol contains:
- Heavy metals (nickel, tin, lead)
- Volatile organic compounds
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Diacetyl, linked to ·popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)- Associated with:
- Lung injury (EVALI)
- Nicotine poisoning, especially in children - Battery explosions and burns
- May be less harmful than cigarettes if used exclusively by adults trying to quit smoking but not safe.
2. Impact on Recovery and Mental
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Health - Nicotine addiction can:
- Undermine recovery from other substance use disorders.
- Increase anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Impair cognitive function and emotional regulation.
- Dual use (e.g., vaping and smoking) increases exposure to toxins and worsens respiratory outcomes.
- Withdrawal symptoms irritability, cravings, insomnia can interfere with therapy and recovery goals.
3. Long-Term Health Consequences
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- Cancer: Oral, lung, throat, pancreatic, and esophageal.
- Cardiovascular disease: Heart attack, stroke, hypertension.
- Respiratory illness: COPD, asthma exacerbation, chronic bronchitis.
- Reproductive harm: Low birth weight, preterm birth, fetal brain damage. - Cognitive decline: Especially with early or prolonged use.
NOTICE
Communication media utilized by Community Action Against Addiction is for information exchange between members of the community, whether client or staff.
These accounts are staffed and monitored by non-service staff.
It is expected that all participants will maintain a level of courtesy owed to all parties.