Strategies to prevent underage drinking

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kelli Komro, Emory University; Traci L. Toomey, University of Minnesota
• Language: English
• Date: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: 2002
• License: Creative Commons Universal : Public Domain Dedication
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• ISSN: 1535-7414
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 5
• End Page: 14
• Keywords: curriculum; Science & Technology; OUTCOMES; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; HIGH-RISK; availability or accessibility to minors; Substance Abuse; underage drinking; IMPACT; PROGRAM; RANDOMIZED TRIAL; alcohol or other drug (AOD) public policy strategy; PROJECT NORTHLAND; community-based prevention; ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL-USE; skills building; DRUG-ABUSE PREVENTION; prevention strategy; YOUTH; prevention through alternative activities; school-based prevention; family focused prevention; minimum drinking age; SUBSTANCE USE
• Research Categories: Psychology, Social; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Alcohol use by underage drinkers is a persistent public health problem in the United States, and alcohol is the most commonly used drug among adolescents. Accordingly, numerous approaches have been developed and studied that aim to prevent underage drinking. Some approaches are school based, involving curricula targeted at preventing alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana use. Other approaches are extracurricular, offering activities outside of school in the form of social or life skills training or alternative activities. Other strategies strive to involve the adolescents' families in the prevention programs. Policy strategies also have been implemented that have increased the minimum legal drinking age, reduced the commercial and social access of adolescents to alcohol, and reduced the economic availability of alcohol. Approaches involving the entire community also have been employed. Several programs (e.g., the Midwestern Prevention Project and Project Northland) have combined many of these strategies.