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Watch: CDCR launches staff alcohol awareness campaign

December 22, 2025

The department recognizes the difficult job performed by staff and the sacrifices they make every day. We also recognize staff wear many hats, and although corrections is a rewarding career, balancing a correctional career and personal life can be stressful.

For far too long the ways to cope successfully with stressors in corrections was minimal, potentially leading to the adoption of unhealthy coping skills.

There was a time when staff participated, and were even encouraged to engage, in what was dubbed choir practice: meeting at a bar to de-stress, vent or socialize. Although this may appear harmless at face value, what happens when drinking becomes a person’s go-to coping strategy?

Watch the video (story continues below):

Turning to alcohol to cope, relieve tension or just mitigate life stressors can have profoundly negative consequences on just about every important domain of life. These areas include physical and mental health, relationships, and career. To combat this, the department is launching its first alcohol awareness campaign, “No Judgment. No Stigma. Just Support.” The goal is to empower individuals through substance use education and awareness.

Through a variety of platforms over the coming months, this campaign will offer information, education, and resources related to substance use so that staff and their families can lead fulfilling lives and careers.

>> Learn more about the Office of Employee Wellness.

Submitted by Office Employee Wellness
Video by Richard Tan, TV specialist
Office of Public and employee Communications

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