Community/Faith-Based
Underage drinking is a public health problem that is best addressed through the
combined efforts of all sectors of a community. Faith-based institutions have a
unique role in the community to help guide youth away from alcohol use: According
to the National Household Survey on
Drug Use and Health, youth with strong religious beliefs are less likely
to use alcohol as well as marijuana and tobacco.
The Resources below can guide community
and faith-based organizations in helping to prevent underage drinking and its consequences.
The Web Sites below describe evidence-based
programs for local implementation.
Visit the Statistics page
for facts about underage drinking and its consequences. The UAD Web Sites page provides links to several
more underage drinking prevention sites with additional resources.
Resources
 Focus On Prevention
This guide was developed to help a wide range of groups and communities move from concerns about substance abuse to proven and practical solutions. It is a starting point that offers brief, practical, and easy-to-read information that is useful in planning and delivering prevention strategies. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010)
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The NSDUH Report: Underage Alcohol Use: Where Do Young People Get Alcohol?
This issue of NSDUH Report examines, by age group and gender, how current drinkers aged 12 to 20 obtain alcohol. This report also presents data on the prevalence of current underage alcohol use and findings on the average number of drinks that underage drinkers had on their last occasion of alcohol use. Findings in the report indicate that underage drinkers are able to purchase or obtain alcohol from relatives and friends at an unacceptably high rate, indicating a direction for local prevention efforts. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; November 2008)
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The NSDUH Report: Underage Alcohol Use: Where Do Young People Drink?
This issue of the NSDUH Report examines age-related changes in the locations where male and female underage drinkers use alcohol. It also examines the differences by college enrollment and living situation for those aged 18 to 20. Knowing the locations where underage drinking is most likely to occur can help guide communities in developing local programs to prevent this behavior. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; August 2008)
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Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking
This Call to Action is a reminder that underage drinking has serious social costs and often tragic personal consequences. It describes the prevalence and consequences of underage drinking and strategies that can be adopted at various levels (e.g., family, communities, higher education) to help prevent and reduce it. Companion pieces to the full report are:
(Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2007)
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Faith and Recovery: The Healing Role of Faith-Based Organizations (DVD)
This Road to Recovery Webcast explores the role of faith and faith-based organizations in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Sections discuss pastoral counseling, interventions, and other recovery services offered by faith-based organizations as well as the need for pastoral training. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services; June 2006)
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The Role of Faith- and Community-Based Systems in Addiction Treatment and Recovery (VHS)
This Road to Recovery Webcast examines the role that faith-based organizations and community-based systems play in the prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems. Tips on what works and how individuals and organizations can get involved in recovery are provided. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services; August 2004)
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National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Public Education Campaign Materials
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers free materials for use in local community efforts to prevent underage alcohol use. These materials are The Party’s Over television and radio public service announcements aimed at parents and adolescents and The FACTS About Youth & Alcohol, a one–page fact sheet outlining information on the prevalence and consequences of teen alcohol use that can be helpful in obtaining support for local underage alcohol prevention efforts. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources; no date)
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Community Toolkit
Prevention works at the local level, where community-based organizations can work together to promote underage drinking efforts that can change the attitudes and behaviors of youth, their parents, and the broader community. Free materials available for developing and conducting local prevention efforts include Assessing Your Community’s Needs, Building Media Relations, Establishing Youth Programs, Creating a Community Coalition, and Planning Community Events. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services; no date)
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Web Sites
Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) Web site
The APIS Web site provides detailed information on 35 alcohol-related policies at the State and Federal levels. Detailed information by State is available for each policy. Click on Highlight on Underage Drinking for an overview of underage drinking in the United States; alcohol policies affecting drinking by those under age 21, including enforcement policies affecting businesses; and prevention resources available through APIS. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
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