Prevention Council of Roanoke County - CADCA Got Outcomes! 2010 Coalition in Focus Award

Formed in 2001 and based in Roanoke, Virginia, the Prevention Council of Roanoke County works to prevent alcohol, illicit drug use and related behaviors among youth. After a comprehensive assessment identified alcohol as the drug of choice among 6th through 12th graders, the coalition further evaluated the data revealing the local conditions contributing to the problem. Accessibility at retail stores, in the home and at community events along with inconsistent enforcement of school policies and limited prevention policies focused on middle school students required action. The coalition engaged youth, media and key stakeholders to implement a comprehensive set of strategies to reduce access, change community norms and delay the age of onset of alcohol use. They achieved program, practice and policy changes including modifying school alcohol policy, increasing police visibility, improving retailer ID checking practice and modifying pediatrician protocol for middle school check ups to include parent education about the risks of early drinking. Their efforts contributed to significant reductions in youth alcohol use. Lifetime use among high school students (73.3 percent in 2002; 62 percent in 2010) is declining along with past 30 day use (45.6 percent in 2002; 36.3 percent in 2010). After a spike in middle school lifetime use in 2006 (33.1 percent) the trend is reversed (23.7 percent in 2010) and middle school students are less likely to try alcohol before age 13.