NCJ Number
209281
Date Published
2003
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes a prevention strategy for underage alcohol use that includes materials for professionals and volunteers who are working at the community level.
Abstract
"Too Smart To Start" is a public education initiative that provides research-based strategies and materials for use at the community level in efforts to prevent underage alcohol use. Specific objectives of the initiative are to increase the number of conversations that parents/caregivers and their 9- to 13-year-olds have about the harms of underage alcohol use; to increase the percentage of this age group and their parents/caregivers who view underage alcohol use as harmful; and to increase public disapproval of underage alcohol use. The booklet first summarizes what is known about this age group in terms of national population trends; their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about alcohol; their use and perceptions of alcohol; underage alcohol consumption and the developing brain; and the consequences of underage alcohol use. Research data are then supplied on the parents of the targeted age group in terms of their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about children's alcohol use. The role of the media in portraying alcohol use is then briefly discussed. In basing the problem of underage drinking in the arena of health, the proposed prevention strategy presents theories and models for health communications that modify behavior in accordance with principles of good health practices. This is followed by a description of the stages of a health communication program cycle. The stages are planning and strategy development; developing and pretesting concepts, messages, and materials; implementing the program; and assessing effectiveness and making refinements. Listing of 17 resources