The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

Suggested Grassroots Activities

For States:

Issue an Alcohol Awareness Month proclamation from the Governor's Office.

Convene a "State Youth Forum" modeled after the "Community Youth Forum" (see below). Invite two representatives from each "Community Youth Forum" to report on local concerns to a body of state officials, both elected and appointed. Members of Congress also should be included. Prepare a report on the results of the Forum for submission to the federal government.

For Communities:

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1997 FEATURED ACTIVITY:
PROTEST DISTILLED SPIRITS ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION & RADIO

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In November 1996, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a trade group, lifted its voluntary ban on television and radio advertising. Prevention advocates fear that this will increase the number of pro-drinking messages children see and hear in media that already are saturated with commercials for beer and wine. Although the major broadcast TV networks have stated that they will refuse to carry advertising for distilled spirits advertising, local TV stations in some major markets already have begun to do so (Contact: COALITION FOR THE PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL PROBLEMS, 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20009-5728, 202/332-9110, ext. 343).

Other Community Activities:

Issue an Alcohol Awareness Month proclamation from the Mayor's Office.

Sponsor a "Community Youth Forum" during Alcohol Awareness Month to address the question "Is Alcohol Affecting the Quality of Life of Our Young People?" Develop a survey to identify the issues for distribution to young people in your community. Make sure you include drop outs and working people under the age of 21 as well as high school and college students. Secure a facility for the Forum, identify a moderator and ask young people who represent a cross-section of your community to participate in the Forum. Invite concerned citizens, including the media, community leaders, educators, elected officials and parents. Publicize the date, time and location of the Forum to make sure that the general public knows about it. Encourage the media to broadcast the Forum. Write a report based on the concerns expressed by youth at the Forum and use this to develop a community action plan which can be presented through local leaders and the media (Contact: ILLINOIS DRUG EDUCATION ALLIANCE, 85 Bailey Rd., Naperville, IL, 60605, 708/420-1766).

Order a copy of the Teen Drinking Prevention Program from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800/729-6686). This program includes the following free materials to help local communities create their own successful grassroots-level prevention programs (use inventory item numbers in parentheses when ordering):

*Community Action Guide (PHD702): Comprehensive how-to manual for those creating a prevention program at the community level. Provides an overview of each step for building a community-wide prevention program.

*Law Enforcement Action Guide (PHD707): Demonstrates the important role these officials play in the prevention of underage drinking and includes proven enforcement methods that are working in communities across the country.

*Event Action Guide (PHD704): Shows event organizers how to build support for and host alcohol-free events, which are safer for the community and may be enjoyed by all.

*Teen Action Guide (PHD705): Shows young people the important role they can play in influencing their peers to make healthy lifestyle choices.

*Community Risk Assessment Guide (PHD703): Designed to help communities review their norms and standards and assess the degree to which those norms encourage or discourage underage drinking.

*Communicator's Guide (PHD701): Booklet of artwork, public service announcements, advertisements, letters, and news stories that program planners can reproduce directly or tailor for local or issue-specific use.

*Parent's Reference Card (PHD708): Illustrates the important role that parents must play in preventing underage drinking and provides them with tips on how to positively steer their children away from alcohol.

*"Alcohol...We're Not Buying It" Poster (AVD75): Copy included in this kit.

*"Alcohol... We're Not Buying It" Postcard (AVD74): Four-color postcard with same picture and message as the poster.

Observe "Alcohol-Free Weekend" from Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6, 1997.

Establish a "Homework Place" for middle-school students, many of whom are "latchkey kids." With a place to go after school that offers adult supervision and informal discussion groups, students may find it easier to resist unhealthy peer pressure. High school students can be recruited to serve as mentors and local corporations can be solicited to donate equipment including computers, and art and craft supplies.

Find out if alcoholic beverage producers are "educating" children in local schools. If they are, then get other parents, local health groups and your PTA involved in a protest by organizing a coalition. Ask to meet with principals and superintendents and offer them an alternative to alcohol education curricula developed by the industry

Schedule "Parent Empowerment Workshops" to raise their level of awareness and understanding of issues surrounding underage drinking; to teach how adult role models both within and outside the family can influence young people; to look at the effect of advertising; and to show how every parent can do his/her part to change social attitudes. These workshops will help parents maintain standards of conduct, let participants know that other parents support their standards and encourage members of the community to accept nothing less than zero tolerance for anyone under 21. They can be hosted by the PTA, churches, service clubs and taken to local business. Hold them during the day, at lunch, at night or on weekends

Sponsor a "Safe Homes" campaign, enlisting parents to pledge that they will not serve alcohol to minors in their homes.

Review school rules regarding the use of alcohol, paying particular attention to athletic codes, and determine if the rules are adequately enforced.

Organize an Alcohol Awareness parade or rally.

Enlist local artists to paint murals illustrating alcohol-related issues that are of specific concern to your community. Select artists whose work will reflect the different cultures that exist within your community (e.g., African American, Latino, Native American or Asian).

Counter the pressures on young people to drink through after-school programs, good recreational facilities, alternative education programs for potential school drop-outs, job training, confidential health services and community service opportunities.

Offer public recognition to young people who lead drug-free lifestyles

Insert a list of self-help groups and local resources with public utility bills.

Plan an Alcohol Awareness Month luncheon at a local hospital with guest speakers who represent the health community.

For Colleges:

Link to or publicize the addresses of web sites on the internet (listed on our Resources and Referrals page) that provide information about alcohol.

Sponsor a "Community Youth Forum" during Alcohol Awareness Month to address the question "Is Alcohol Affecting the Quality of Life of Our Young People?" (see above). Administrators, faculty and students can examine the role alcohol plays in drop outs, rape, accidents, parties, academic performance, property damage; discuss current school policy regarding alcohol and enforcement of this policy; and develop meaningful prevention programs based on student needs and input.

Change the campus environment for those under 21 by preventing underage drinking; limiting college newspaper alcohol advertising; and banning alcohol industry sponsorship of college activities.

Change the campus environment for those 21 and older by limiting places and times for drinking; prohibiting drunkenness; regulating conditions of use; and not sanctioning a "bar" on campus.

Order the following materials from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800/729-6686):

*"If You Drink Too Much Beer . . . You Drink Too Much," a free poster that can be displayed in dormitory halls and student centers

*The College Alcohol Risk Assessment Guide: Environmental Approaches to Prevention, a handbook designed to assist individuals and groups identify and modify risks that contribute to alcohol-related problems within the university and college community. It describes methods and exercises that can be used to gather and organize information about alcohol use and associated adverse consequences.

*Alcohol Practices, Policies, and Potentials of American Colleges and Universities (CS01), a white paper that outlines a full range of policy, regulatory, and program responses that some colleges are using to reduce campus drinking problems.

*Raising More Voices Than Mugs: Changing the College Alcohol Environment Through Media Advocacy (CS09), a publication that demonstrates how to call attention to, protest, and raise the consciousness of the community in an effort to set policies that control the promotion of alcohol on and around the campus.

Organize and promote alcohol-free activities during spring break.

For Primary and Secondary Schools:

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1997 FEATURED ACTIVITY:
ORDER "LIFE SKILLS TRAINING" FOR USE IN GRADES 6-8 OR 7-9

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This curriculum trains children in building resistance to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana within the context of broader personal and social skills. It focuses on the immediate adverse effects of these drugs and uses improvisation and discussion to make students more confident, more assertive and more discerning about the messages they get from pop culture and their classmates. Evaluations indicate that it significantly reduced smoking, alcohol and marijuana use among participants by as much as 75% within two years, and that these reductions had eroded only slightly by the time the students graduated from high school. (Contact: Institute for Prevention Research at Cornell University Medical College).


Other Activities for Primary and Secondary Schools:

Link to or publicize the addresses of web sites on the internet (listed on our Resources and Referrals) that provide information about alcohol

Encourage participation in "Community Youth Forums" (see above) and sponsor an essay/poster contest to address the question "Is Alcohol Affecting the Quality of Life of Our Young People?".

Subscribe to The Challenge, a quarterly newsletter published by the Department of Education that contains lesson plans, information on state-of-the-art programs, and topical articles on substance abuse and prevention. Subscriptions are available free of charge from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800/729-6686).

Order copies of the following videotapes from National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800/729-6686) for group viewings.

*Changing Channels (VHS79) tells the story of five teenagers under pressure to go to a party to drink. An unusual television experience introduces them to ideas about alcohol that help them rethink their own assumptions and attitudes. As they channel surf they see key parts of several stories (a teen drama, game show, police story, and others) with different messages about alcohol.

*Hard Facts About Drugs: Alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine and Crack. Speak Up and Speak Out: Learning to Say No to Drugs (VHS20) dramatizes the devastating effects that alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and crack have on a high school class during the 4 years leading to graduation. Uses the scenario of a senior class trip to illustrate techniques that students can use to resist peer pressure and refuse drug use. A viewer's guide (VHS20G) is also available

*Straight Talk (VHS46) shows four teenagers talking about why they won't use drugs and successful methods they have found to avoid pressures to use alcohol and drugs. It includes one teen who is a recovering alcoholic and drug user).

Order copies of NCADD "Prevention Materials for Youth" for distribution to your students.

Use liners in school cafeteria trays to promote Alcohol Awareness Month.

Ask local grocery stores to provide quantities of grocery bags to schools and ask students to illustrate these bags with Alcohol Awareness Month messages. Return the illustrated bags to the grocery stores for use with customers during April.

Raise money for alcohol prevention curricula and public education campaigns through school walk-a-thons, raffles, athletic events, auctions, concerts, plant and rummage sales, and dinners.

Guidance counselors can develop a checklist regarding college alcohol policies to assist students and parents in their selection of schools.

Administrators can examine advertising solicited by the school, including student newspapers and year books, to assure that there is a consistent and appropriate message regarding no use of alcohol. They can also examine policy that is used in the selection of favors for dances to assure that there is a consistent no-use message for people under the age of 21. If a change in these policies seems advisable, use Alcohol Awareness Month as an opportunity to announce them.

Teachers can raise student consciousness about the advertising of alcoholic beverages by enlisting their support to monitor the outdoor advertising industry's compliance with its voluntary code regarding alcoholic beverages. In 1990, the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1210, Washington, DC, 20005) adopted a voluntary code that calls for the removal of all alcohol and tobacco advertisements from billboards within 500 feet--the equivalent of one city block--of primary and secondary schools, places of worship and hospitals. Three of the nation's major advertisers: Gannett Outdoor (535 Madison Ave., New York, NY, 10022); Patrick Media Group (2101 Myrtle St., Scranton, PA, 18510); and Lamar Advertising (5551 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, 79808) have agreed to comply with the guidelines. Teachers can explain the OAAA voluntary code to students and help them target locations in the community where it applies. Teams of students can be assigned to visit these "off limits" locations to ensure that there are no violations. Students can record the address of any violations, noting the product advertised as well as the advertisement itself, and determine who owns the billboard (the name and logo of the company usually appear below the advertisement). Students can then inform the owner of the billboard in writing that the company is in violation of the OAAA code and send a copy of their letter to OAAA and to an elected official in their community who has pledged to do something about alcohol. By contacting local media with the story, you can generate attention for your efforts outside the classroom).

Teachers can offer instruction on critical skills for watching television and understanding selling techniques and commercials during Alcohol Awareness Month. Ask students to clip print advertisements for alcoholic beverages and bring them to class for discussion. Students can learn that drinking isn't a way to feel or be "independent." Rather, students can learn that they are being "influenced" to drink and that independence from advertising influences really means not drinking. Also ask students to prepare a list of other "pro-drinking" influences, including sponsorships of sporting events and rock concerts, and promotional items such as t-shirts and hats.

For Hospitals and Treatment Centers:

Order a copy of Adolescent Treatment Issues (VHS40G) from National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800/729-6686). This video stresses the importance of understanding the specific needs that accompany adolescent development as the key to success in treatment, beginning with accurate assessment and continuing through aftercare monitoring. Clinicians are encouraged to broaden their perspectives in particular topical areas through the user's guide.


For Media:

If you work for a radio or television station, do what you can to urge the owners to follow the leads of the major television networks who have agreed not to accept advertising for distilled spirits.

Broadcast or publish other relevant public service announcements .

For a week-long period during Alcohol Awareness Month analyze all news stories for mention of alcohol. Aside from such obvious stories as alcohol-related traffic fatalities, pay particular attention to violent crime, domestic violence, sexual abuse, suicide and other social issues where use of alcohol is likely to be involved. Then do a "round-up" story about the negative consequences of alcohol consumption illustrated by the evidence in your community.

Counter and challenge stereotyping and glamorization of members of the journalism and entertainment professions as hard-drinking "heroes" by identifying leaders of your profession who do not engage in these practices, and by reporting the lost health, careers and lives of those who do.

For Religious Groups:

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1997 FEATURED ACTIVITY:
HELP PARENTS LEARN HOW TO DISCUSS ALCOHOL WITH THEIR CHILDREN

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Order a copy of "What Should I Tell My Child About Drinking?," a new prevention package that includes a two-part video hosted by Meryl Streep and a companion brochure, for use in your congregation (order form included in this kit). Schedule a group viewing and follow the suggestions included the facilitator's guide (Contact: NCADD, 12 West 21 Street, New York, NY, 10010, 212/206-6770, ext. 18).

Other Activities for Religious Groups:

Order a copy of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse: Challenges and Responses for Faith Leaders (PHD721) from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (800/729-6686). This easy-to-read publication lays out the role that clergy can play in preventing substance abuse and in providing treatment for those already addicted. Chapters provide information on the physical effects of various drugs, the reasons why people abuse drugs, risk factors for substance abuse, a historical view of substance abuse, and the role ministries can play in substance abuse prevention and treatment.

Integrate alcohol issues into the ongoing religious education of young people.

Address the question "Is Alcohol Affecting the Quality of Life of Our Young People?" through sermons and study

Encourage role models who have achieved success without using/abusing alcohol to participate in congregation-sponsored events for youth.

Allow use of your facilities for alternative youth activities, mentoring programs, parent training, stress management seminars, healthy lifestyles workshops and substance abuse prevention education sessions.

Assemble an "Alcohol Awareness Month" bulletin board. Ask members of your congregation to bring in news clippings of alcohol-related incidents in your community. Tell them to look for mentions of alcohol, particularly in crime stories.

Conduct a candlelight vigil/parade or sponsor an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast which focuses on the tragic consequences of alcohol use by youth.

Publish information about alcohol use by minors in church bulletins.

Religious groups can establish an "Amnesty Day/Week" at their houses of worship for youth who need help but are embarrassed, afraid or don't know where to get it. Help and/or referrals can be provided confidentially and without fear of reprisal.

For Parents:

Order a copy of "What Should I Tell My Child About Drinking?," a new prevention package that includes a two-part video hosted by Meryl Streep and a companion brochure (Contact: NCADD, 12 West 21 Street, New York, NY, 10010, 212/206-6770, ext. 18).

Reinforce what your children learn in school (see bullet under primary and secondary schools) about television content, helping them to analyze commercials and their messages during home viewing. If your child believes that he or she is being influenced to drink by a particular alcoholic beverage commercial, help him/her write a letter of complaint to the manager of the television station that is airing the commercial. Send a copy of your letter to the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20580).

Assume a strong pro-active position regarding the wellness of your children and support your children in their often difficult choice to live a drug-free lifestyle.

Host meetings for other parents to discuss and share the responsibility of raising drug-free children.

If you drink, be sure to set an ongoing healthy example regarding adult alcohol use.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)