"Alcohol use is damaging to a child's developing brain, impairing memory and learning abilities. Alcohol abuse also raises a child's risk for problems such as violence, depression, suicide, disruptive behavior at school, teen pregnancy, other drug involvement, and alcohol abuse later in life. The responsibility for resolving this alarming public health issue rests with all of us."
— Suzanne O. Carcieri

Introducing Suzanne “Sue” Carcieri, First Lady of Rhode Island

First Lady Suzanne Carcieri's participation in the Leadership initiative is an extension of her academic and personal interests in the health and well-being of children. She joined Leadership in 2003. She has worked as a junior high school science teacher, and when the Carcieri family lived in Jamaica, she taught science at the local school her children attended.

Mrs. Carcieri has continued her educational activities by participating in SAMHSA's Reach Out Now National Teach-Ins since 2004, including teaching elementary school classes. Additionally, in December 2004, she led students in a science experiment showing the effects of alcohol on the brain. She also outlined the functions of the brain and showed how alcohol affected each area.

Mrs. Carcieri has hosted four annual Coffee Hours for substance abuse prevention coordinators from throughout Rhode Island, the most recent in October 2006. She holds the event each year during Red Ribbon Week to provide a forum for sharing information about local successes and challenges in substance abuse prevention.

In 2004, Mrs. Carcieri spoke at the annual New England Institute of Prevention Studies on behalf of Leadership. She was the closing keynote speaker for this training event, which gathered more than 300 prevention professionals from various settings and featured presentations and workshops delivered by national and regional experts.

In 2003, Mrs. Carcieri hosted a public family dinner in her daughter's home that included her husband, 3 daughters and sons-in-law, and 10 grandchildren. Her purpose was to publicize the importance of family meals as a way to keep children alcohol and drug free. That year, Mrs. Carcieri participated in the Ninth Annual Rhode Island Kids Count FactBook Release ceremony. The group uses independent, credible, comprehensive information on Rhode Island's children to change or influence public policies and programs to improve children's lives.

Mrs. Carcieri holds a master's degree in health education from Rhode Island College. The Carcieris have 4 children and 13 grandchildren.