Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking Community Guide

On March 6, 2007 Acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu issued the Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking, appealing to the Nation to do more to stop America’s 11 million current underage drinkers from using alcohol, and to keep other young people from starting.

• Community Guide: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/underage-drinking-community-guide.pdf

• Family Guide: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/underage-drinking-family-guide.pdf

 

Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Sciences Report: Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility (2003)

A joint landmark report by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine addressing why underage alcohol use is so pervasive; explores ways different individuals and groups contribute to the problem and how they can be enlisted to prevent it. To download the full report, go to: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2003/Reducing-Underage-Drinking-A-Collective-Responsibility.aspx

 

Too Smart To Start

A public education initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide research-based strategies and materials to professionals and volunteers at the community level to help them conduct an underage alcohol use prevention program. The materials are designed to educate 9- to 13-year-olds about the harms of alcohol use and to support parents and caregivers as they participate in their children’s activities. For more information, please visit: http://www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov/leaders/default.aspx

 

STOP Underage Drinking (Parents)

A comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue. People interested in underage drinking prevention—including parents, educators, community-based organizations, and youth—will find a wealth of valuable information here. http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/parents.aspx

 

Community Festival and Event Planning

Many communities face the challenge of planning a festival or event, and making the decision whether or not to include alcohol. If ultimately they do choose to include alcohol, it is crucial that they follow best practices in order to reduce the negative impact on youth and adult residents alike. Below is a community level example (New Hanover County) of a guide for event planners to assure that steps are taken to protect youth attendees and reduce the negative impacts of alcohol use.