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Community: Introduction

Do you know how easily youth in your community can obtain alcohol and what communities can do to prevent young people’s access to alcohol?

Does your community have educational programs and policies to prevent youth from drinking?

Does your community have "alcohol-free" events? If not, do you know how to initiate them?

Is there collaboration among public and private schools, community businesses, local government, and the police force to develop and enforce policies related to youth alcohol use?

Summary



Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS)

Evaluation, Management and Training Associates (EMT)

What You Can Do › Community › Summary

Summary

As a concerned citizen, you recognize that children draw conclusions about alcohol use from what they see and hear in their families and communities. Alcohol use is often portrayed as a regular feature of leisure activities, and children see ads and billboards not only reinforcing that concept but often specifically targeting underage drinkers. Children may also attend local or family-focused events which are sponsored by alcohol companies or for which drinking alcohol is part of the customary procedures of the event (e.g., weddings and other social gatherings). In these ways, society tells children that alcohol use is accepted, expected, and even essential to having a good time. It is up to us as concerned community members to implement and enforce strategies to control the visibility and availability of alcohol in our children’s environment.

References:
Wagenaar AC, Toomey TL, Murray DM, et al. 1996. Sources of alcohol for underage drinkers. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 57:325-333.

Preventing Sales of Alcohol to Minors: What You Should Know About Merchant Education Programs. 1999.  Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation: Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center.

Grover, P.L. (ed). Preventing Problems Related to Alcohol Availability: Environmental Approaches: Practitioners’ Guide. Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Parents Unite to Prevent Underage Drinking. 2002. Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. Available at: http://www.michiganprincipals.org/parentresources/pdf/ParentsUniteBook.pdf#search=%22what%20agencies%20can%20do%20to%20prevent%20underage%20drinking%22. Accessed on [10/9/06]

Grossberg, P.M., Brown, D.D. & Fleming, M.F. 2004. Brief Physician Advice for High-Risk Drinking Among Young Adults. Annals of Family Medicine. 2(5): 474-480.

Straus, M. KCRA Channel 3 News: Learning Matters Segment. 12/8/2004.

Regulatory Strategies for Preventing Youth Access to Alcohol: Best Practices. 1999. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

Preventing Problems Related to Alcohol Availability: Environmental Approaches. Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

4 Tiers: College Drinking—Changing the Culture. Available at: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/4tier.aspx. Accessed on [10/3/06]

4 Tiers: College Drinking—Changing the Culture. Available at: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/4tier.aspx. Accessed on [10/3/06]

Hoover, S.A. Policy Strategies to Reduce Underage and Binge Drinking. Community Prevention Institute.
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