Webinar explains some solutions to underage drinking

In April, a webinar provided communities with information about some activities that have proven to prevent underage drinking.  National experts expanded on the shape of the solution to underage drinking introduced during the first webinar in a series hosted by several federal agencies. The discussions focused on evidence-based strategies for preventing underage drinking that are age and culturally appropriate and address both individual and environmental factors.  The full webinar may be viewed by clicking here and below are a few key slides.

The webinar started with Frances M. Harding, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, providing an overview of key prevention concepts.  She began with discussing risk & protective factors, how they contribute to substance use, and how communities can use them to identify prevention activities.

To be most effective in preventing youth substance use, multiple prevention activities must be implemented in a community.  Activities conducted during student transitions -- between elementary and middle school, between middle and high school, and between high school and college or work -- are especially important.

Prevention activities are important in all domains: individual, family, school, community, and society.

Community domain prevention activities include:

• enforcement of laws meant to reduce access to alcohol and other drugs among youth;
• minimum legal drinking age of 21;
• increase in price/taxes;
• reduce access to legal drugs by limiting retail outlet density, enacting tight regulations, and monitoring the implementation of drug-related policies;
• advertising restrictions.