2010 Town Hall Meetings Mobilizing Communities To Prevent and Reduce Underage Alcohol Use 2010 Town Hall Meetings Mobilizing Communities To Prevent and Reduce Underage Alcohol Use U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Acknowledgments This report was prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by ICF Macro and University Research Company, LLC under contract number 283-07-0706 with SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Emily Novick, M.P.P., served as the Government Project Officer, with the assistance of Stephen Wing, Acting Director, Division of Policy Innovation, SAMHSA. DISCLAIMER The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of SAMHSA or HHS. PUBLIC DOMAIN NOTICE All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Citation of the source is appreciated. However, this publication may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of the Office of Communications, SAMHSA, HHS. ELECTRONIC ACCESS This publication may be downloaded at http://store.samhsa.gov. RECOMMENDED CITATION Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2010 Town Hall Meetings: Mobilizing Communities To Prevent and Reduce Underage Alcohol Use. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4448. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012. ORIGINATING OFFICE Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4448 Printed 2012 ii Contents Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................v Introduction .........................................................................................................................1 Underage Alcohol Use: Extent of the Problem ...............................................................1 THMs as a Strategic Solution ........................................................................................2 SAMHSA Support of the 2010 THM Initiative .................................................................3 Stipends and Technical Assistance ........................................................................3 Web-Based Resources ..........................................................................................3 2010 THM Assessment ........................................................................................................5 Process .........................................................................................................................5 Positive Trends and Outcomes ......................................................................................5 Number of Participating CBOs Continued To Increase ...........................................5 New National Organizations Joined the THM Effort ................................................5 Number of THMs Continued To Increase ...............................................................6 Geographic Diversity of THMs Indicated National Concern ....................................6 THMs Generated Strong Media Coverage .............................................................7 THMs Were Promoted to Diverse Audiences Through a Variety of Outreach Methods .................................................................................................7 THMs Used Creativity To Present UAD as a Public Health Issue .............................8 Community Involvement in Presenting UAD Reflected Multisector Collaboration ....8 Youth Involvement Remained Strong and Youth Attendance Grew ........................9 Adult Attendance Increased for 2010 THMs ...........................................................9 Communities Responded Positively to THMs ........................................................10 THM Organizers Were Satisfied With Their THMs ..................................................10 Communities Committed to Followup Action ........................................................11 Communities Are Using THMs as a Springboard for Additional UAD Prevention Activities ......................................................................................11 Challenges to Hosting a Successful THM .....................................................................12 CBO Recommendations for Future THMs ....................................................................12 SAMHSA Response to CBO Challenges and Recommendations .........................13 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................13 Appendix A: Underage Drinking Prevention: Town Hall Meeting Feedback Form .................15 Appendix B: Community-Based Organizations That Hosted 2010 Town Hall Meetings .......17 iii iv Executive Summary I n 2006, 2008, and 2010, the Substance Abuse and Mental Against Substance Abuse, PRIDE Youth Services, and Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as the lead Students Against Destructive Decisions. agency for the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the As in 2006 and 2008, 2010 THMs occurred throughout the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), coordinated States and the Territories. In 2010, THMs were held in all 50 national Town Hall Meetings (THMs) to prevent underage States, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. Territories (i.e., drinking (UAD). These THMs provided communities with an American Samoa, Guam, Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). opportunity to learn more about underage alcohol use and This geographic diversity indicates a national awareness of its consequences and to build their capacity in implementing UAD as a public health concern affecting all communities. evidence-based approaches that can help prevent UAD. This report assesses implementation and perceived outcomes of 2010 THMs. Findings are based on a qualitative and An important outcome from the THMs is quantitative survey approved by the Office of Management and Budget and completed by participating community-based that many communities pledged to continue organizations (CBOs). For 2010, 86 percent of participating and strengthen their efforts to prevent and CBOs completed the survey. A scan of media coverage of THMs found more than 1,588 mentions as of September 13, reduce UAD. 2011. A review of 70 of these media mentions was the source of sidebar examples for this report. In addition to larger numbers of hosting organizations and THMs appear to be an effective and growing approach in THMs, the success of the 2010 THMs can be measured by raising public awareness of UAD as a public health problem the diversity of community stakeholders who presented at and and mobilizing communities to take preventive action. In 2010, attended meetings; strong involvement of youth in planning and CBOs held 2,021 THMs—an 11 percent increase over the conducting THMs; evidence of community support, such as number of THMs held in 2008. This increase follows a nearly an increase over 2008 in average attendance; and the positive 20 percent (19.93 percent) increase between 2006 and 2008 perceptions of stakeholder engagement reported by CBO in the number of THMs held. Approximately half (49.2 percent) organizers. Nearly every CBO (96 percent) who responded of CBOs that hosted a 2010 THM plan to conduct more THMs. to the survey perceived that attendees would become more Some States, such as Alaska and Iowa, consider THMs as an involved in efforts to decrease UAD in their communities. essential part of their overall UAD prevention strategy. An important outcome from the THMs is that many The number of CBOs participating in the 2010 THM effort also communities pledged to continue and strengthen their efforts increased by 11 percent over the number that participated in to prevent and reduce UAD. Nearly two thirds (65.5 percent) 2008. This increase follows a 27 percent increase between of participating CBOs plan to host future events; more than 2006 and 2008 in participating CBOs. The increase for 2010 one fourth (29.9 percent) already have held followup meetings. can be attributed at least in part to a new effort by SAMHSA to Continuing informal tracking of all media coverage of UAD engage national organizations with a shared interest in healthy strongly suggests that many organizations that hosted a 2010 youth development and local chapters that could host THMs. THM are sustaining attention to the issue in their communities. These organizations are the American Academy of Pediatrics, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the National Council of La Raza, In summary, the SAMHSA THM initiative is proving effective the National Family Partnership, the National FFA Organization, in raising public awareness about UAD and mobilizing the National 4-H, the Parent–Teacher Association, and the communities to work together to prevent UAD. Often, these YMCA and YWCA. SAMHSA also formally engaged national THMs served to build local capacity, led to or provided organizations that had collaborated in previous SAMHSA UAD increased community support for policies that prevent UAD, prevention efforts. These organizations are the Benevolent and were springboards for continuing action at the local and and Protective Order of Elks, the California Friday Night Live State levels. Partnership, the National Asian Pacific American Families v vi Introduction “The healthy development of America’s youth is a national goal that is threatened by underage alcohol consumption and In 2005, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the the adverse consequences it can bring. In Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) (see sidebar, sometimes subtle and sometimes dramatic right), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), convened teams of ways, underage alcohol use can sidetrack the government officials from States, Territories, and the District of trajectory of a child’s life—or end it.” 2 Columbia to address the problem of underage drinking (UAD) through a National Meeting of the States. Town Hall Meetings —Acting U.S. Surgeon General Moritsugu (THMs) to prevent UAD are a direct outcome of this meeting. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking Beginning in 2006 and every 2 years since, SAMHSA—as the lead agency for ICCPUD—has worked with organizations at the national, State, and local levels to engage community-based organizations (CBOs) in sponsoring THMs. THMs work at the ICCPUD grassroots level to: Established in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Health and n Raise community awareness about the public health Human Services to address the issue of UAD, ICCPUD dangers of UAD; includes the following Federal agencies: n Increase citizen engagement and participation in preven­ Federal Trade Commission tion, thereby expanding local capacity to address UAD; Office of National Drug Control Policy n Generate support for effective policies to prevent UAD and for their enforcement; and U.S. Department of Defense n Encourage communities to collaborate across multiple Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense sectors (e.g., education, law enforcement, and behavioral U.S. Department of Education health care) in implementing practical, evidence-based Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools approaches to reducing and preventing UAD. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services This report documents the success of 2010 THMs in achieving Administration for Children and Families these objectives. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Underage Alcohol Use: National Institute on Drug Abuse Extent of the Problem Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse Evaluation among America’s youth. A higher percentage of young Office of the Surgeon General people between the ages of 12 and 20 use alcohol than Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services use tobacco or illicit drugs.1 Administration (ICCPUD lead agency) U.S. Department of Justice 1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2010). Results From the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings (Office of U.S. Department of Labor Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-38A, HHS Publication No. SMA 10-4856Findings). Rockville, MD. From http://oas.samhsa.gov/ U.S. Department of Transportation NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9Results.htm#3.2 (accessed June 7, 2011). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). The U.S. Department of the Treasury Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Surgeon General. From http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/ underagedrinking/index.html (accessed June 7, 2011). 2010 Town Hall Meetings 1 An informed public is an essential part of an overall plan to prevent and reduce underage drinking and to change the culture that supports it. THMs as a Strategic Solution —Acting U.S. Surgeon General Moritsugu In 2007, Acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., called upon all communities to confront UAD The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent as “a widespread and persistent public health and safety and Reduce Underage Drinking problem that creates serious personal, social, and economic consequences for adolescents, their families, communities, and the Nation as a whole.”7 Among recommended actions are that According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use communities should: and Health, about 10.4 million young people aged 12–20 n Promote the idea that underage alcohol use is a local (27.2 percent) reported drinking during the past month, with problem that local citizens can solve through concerted more than half engaging in high-risk drinking patterns.3 More and dedicated action; than half (55 percent) of 12th graders and nearly a fifth n Establish organizations and coalitions committed to (18 percent) of 8th graders reported having been drunk at establishing a local culture that disapproves of underage least once in their life. UAD can have severe consequences, alcohol use, that works diligently to prevent and reduce with those who use alcohol before age 15 being six times it, and that is dedicated to informing the public about the more likely than those who first use alcohol after age 21 to extent and consequences of UAD; and have alcohol dependence as adults.4 Furthermore, emerging research into the developing adolescent brain suggests that n Work to ensure that members of the community are aware of the latest research on adolescent alcohol use and, in alcohol consumption during this developmental period may particular, the adverse consequences of alcohol use on have profound effects on brain structure and function.5 underage drinkers and other members of the community UAD also can kill. Each year, approximately 5,000 young who suffer from its secondhand effects. people under the age of 21 die as a result of UAD. This total THMs, which bring diverse community stakeholders together includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, to confront the issue of UAD, are a strategic response to these 1,600 deaths from homicides, and 300 deaths from suicide, as recommendations. well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning.6 Some States also are making THMs part of their overall strategic approach to UAD prevention. For example, the Alaska Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking incorporated THMs as one tool in the State 3 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2010). Results From the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-38A, HHS Publication No. SMA 10-4856Findings). Rockville, MD. From http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9Results.htm#3.2 (accessed June 7, 2011). 4 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (March 25, 2010). Press release: New National Survey Shows that More than a Quarter of Youth aged 12 to 20 Drank Alcohol in the Past Month: SAMHSA and Ad Council Launch National Underage Drinking Prevention Campaign. From http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1003250241.aspx (accessed June 7, 2011). 5 Tapert, S., Caldwell, L., & Burke, C. (ND) Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain—Human Studies. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. From http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/205-212.htm (accessed June 7, 2011). 6 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2006). Why do adolescents drink, what are the risks, and how can underage drinking be prevented? Alcohol Alert No. 67. From http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA67/AA67.htm (accessed June 7, 2011). 7 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. From http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/underagedrinking/index. html (accessed June 7, 2011). 2 2010 Town Hall Meetings