GOT OUTCOMES! Coalition of Excellence Award Winners 2010
Coalition of the Year Award
In 1997 the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition based in Keosauqua, Iowa engaged their local hospital, schools, health department and other key stakeholders to address youth alcohol, tobacco and other substance use in the county. In 1999 data revealed the need to focus more specifically on youth alcohol and tobacco use. The coalition expressed particular concern with reported past 30 day use of alcohol (51 percent) and tobacco (42 percent) among 11th graders. This group reported easy access to both substances and inconsistent messaging from the community regarding youth tobacco and alcohol use. Interviews and listening sessions with youth and community members identified how youth accessed alcohol and tobacco and guided the implementation of a data-driven, comprehensive plan for each substance. Community-level strategies included drafting and enhancing school and community policies, disseminating information, and increasing awareness of the problems. Youth contribute significantly to policy efforts such as the adoption of tobacco free baseball grounds and school districts and a state-level Smoke-Free Air Act. Other successes include developing and implementing monthly merchant alcohol training and instituting semi-annual alcohol and tobacco compliance checks. As a result of their efforts, the coalition successfully reduced access and acceptability contributing to reductions in past 30 day use of alcohol (51 percent in 1999; 34 percent in 2008) and tobacco (42 percent in 1999; 19 percent in 2008) among 11th graders. VIEW VIDEO
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. VIEW VIDEO
Milestones Award
Formed in 2008, and based in Branson, Missouri, the Taney County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team works to decrease lifetime and past 30-day alcohol use among Taney County Junior and Senior High School Students using evidence-based policies, practices and programs. To inform their community assessment, the coalition gathered information using student surveys, archival data, interviews and focus groups and prioritized. Data revealed that 46.7 percent of 6th, 8th and 9th graders reported drinking alcohol in their lifetime (other than for religious purposes). High alcohol outlet density, retailers selling to minors, and low perceptions of risk associated with underage drinking contributed to the problem. Informed by local data, the coalition developed a strategic approach that included coordinating an underage drinking awareness campaign, creating graduated sanctions for underage drinkers and drafting and enhancing local alcohol ordinances. The coalition’s efforts contributed to drastic changes in youth perceptions of access to alcohol, awareness of harm, and risky behaviors between 2008 and 2010. For example, fewer youth report that alcohol is “sort of easy” or “very easy” to get (70 percent in 2008; 37.45 percent in 2010), and fewer youth report having ridden in a car with someone under the influence of alcohol (27.5 percent in 2008; 14.04 percent in 2010). Student alcohol consumption is also declining and the coalition plans to sustain this downward trend in the coming years. VIEW VIDEO
