CHESHIRE - It's Alcohol Awareness Month nationwide, but the town has declared April 20-26 Alcohol Awareness Week locally.

The declaration is designed to raise awareness of substance abuse issues that affect everyone in the community, said Youth and Social Services Director Michelle Piccerillo. The town will provide educational programs about substance abuse for residents.

A program at the Senior Center entitled, "Seniors, Alcohol, and Medications: What Everyone Should Know," will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Presented by the Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Action Council, it will focus on seniors and will highlight the dangers of mixing alcohol with prescribed medications.