The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati recently partnered with the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and the American Academy of Family Physicians to integrate results from the Coalition's Student Drug Use Survey into HealthLandscape.
The Coalition's participation in the effort was the feature of a recent article in Behavioral Healthcare magazine.
Dearborn County Citizens against Substance Abuse (CASA) recently released three public service announcements. Two of those commercials featured the message of the "3 out of 4" campaign designed by the Student Congress of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati.
The commercials focus on a statistic from the Student Drug Use Survey that 77% of youth (3 out of 4) in Greater Cincinnati choose not to drink on a regular basis. The students who created the commercials for CASA proudly reinforced that message by declaring on the commercials to be "3 of 4," and encouraged youth to feel supported in their decisions not to drink.
The messages are already making a difference, as Lawrenceburg City Council (who initially helped fund the project) agreed to continue to fund more ads with the youth based on the visibility, success and positive message of these.
If you would like more information on the "3 of 4" campaign, or learn about implementing it with a group of youth, please contact Jeff Stewart.
Cincinnati Enquirer, December 15, 2008
Many well-meaning parents think that it is enough to take away car keys at their teen's parties so the teens can't drink and drive or, in some cases, they offer to host the party themselves and provide the alcohol with the thought that they'll be better able to "keep an eye" on things. But here are the facts:
Parents who give alcohol to their teen's friends under any circumstances, even in their own homes, are breaking the law.
Parents who knowingly allow a person under 21 to remain in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages can be prosecuted and everything associated with such a violation can be confiscated, including personal property.
Parents can be sued if they give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they in turn hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Underage drinking is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, hosting a party where alcohol is available to underage youth is illegal and poses serious health risks as well as legal consequences, criminal and civil, for everyone involved.
We should, as a community, encourage and support the enforcement of a law that protects the health, well-being, and potential of our kids. We should , also be supporting parents and schools who are striving to protect our kids as well.
If we all work in concert to create clear expectations and consequences for kids and alcohol use, including the enforcement of current public policy, we can create a healthy environment for kids to grow up in; we will have the chance to watch them become successful adults.
Holly J. Molony is executive director of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, founded in 1996 as an effort to mobilize multiple sectors of the community to address adolescent substance abuse (www.drugfreecincinnati.org).
Many well‐meaning parents think that it is enough to take away car keys at their teenʹs parties so the teens canʹt drink and drive or, in some cases, they offer to host the party themselves and provide the alcohol with the thought that they’ll be better able to “keep an eye” on things.
FACTS:
The legal drinking age in the United States, like it or not, is 21. Underage drinking is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, hosting a party where alcohol is available to underage youth is illegal and poses serious health risks as well as legal conseqences, both criminal and civil, for everyone involved.
We should, as a community, encourage and support the enforcement of a law that protects the health, well‐being, and potential of our kids.
CINCINNATI - In response to the Cincinnati Enquirer forum “Drinking age: 21 or 18?“ on August 24, 2008, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati has issued the following statement:
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati agrees that levels of underage drinking and high-risk (binge) drinking on college campuses remain unacceptable and should be a priority for the administrations. The Coalition disagrees that the solution is to lower the drinking age.
College drinking has become part of the culture of a college students’ environment. Alcohol advertising at campus athletic facilities and events, tail-gating practices, the density of alcohol outlets near college campuses, college ‘ID’ nights and drink specials, all serve to promote college-age drinking at a time when young adults are transitioning to a new social and developmental stage.
More importantly, lowering the minimum legal drinking age sends a message to youth of all ages that alcohol is “not that dangerous.” The regional Student Drug Use survey data from the Coalition continues to demonstrate the correlation between youth (7th to 12th grade) perception of harm of alcohol and student consumption rates. According to the 2008 survey, 83% of 7th graders in our region consider alcohol to be harmful, and only 4% of 7th graders used alcohol regularly*. In contrast, only 58% of high school seniors viewed alcohol use as harmful and 40% reported drinking on a regular basis. (*regular use is defined as drinking alcohol in the previous 30 days)
Rather than enabling this risky behavior by advocating for a lower minimum drinking age, the Coalition supports a comprehensive approach by colleges that targets at-risk individuals, the whole student population and the broader community surrounding the campus.
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati opposes any form of legalization of alcohol under the age of 21, and encourages college administrations to think of the consequences of encouraging the legal purchase and consumption of alcohol for nearly all of its students. The Amethyst Initiative fails to provide clear evidence as to why a lower drinking age would actually decrease use. The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati instead supports increased prevention programs, practices and policies, including formation of a campus/community coalition (or support of an existing one), aimed at reducing underage drinking and other high risk behaviors for those under the age of 21.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 11, 2008
Contact:
Jeff Stewart
513-751-8000, x. 18
513-490-1858
JStewart@DrugFreeCincinnati.org
SPECIAL REPORT: UNDERAGE DRINKING IN GREATER CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI - 20% of Greater Cincinnati youth, 7th – 12th grade, drink alcohol on a regular* basis, according to the recently examined alcohol-specific results from the 2008 Student Drug Use Survey. This represents a 33% decline since 2000. The good news is most kids, 80%, are not drinking regularly.
On average, youth in greater Cincinnati take their first drink at 13 and a half years of age. While this is alarming, it is a significant improvement over 12.7 years reported in 2006. This is an encouraging trend because the later youth start drinking, the less likely they will become harmfully involved with alcohol.
There are many factors affecting underage drinking. The 2008 survey continues to provide data on what factors help keep kids safe and those that place them at risk for harmful involvement with alcohol. The Coalition uses this data to design programs and policies that keep kids safe.
Keeping Kids Safe
The biggest factor that helps our kids stay safe from alcohol use and abuse is positive communication with parents and other caring adults. ‘Parents Talking’ is a well established practice and continues to be a positive influence on youth choices to drink. The 2008 survey shows that 87% of students who have teachers that talk to them often about alcohol and drugs do not use alcohol regularly.
Youth who have opportunities for meaningful involvement with positive youth development activities are also protected more from using alcohol. This includes school sports and clubs, community, and religious activities which reduces regular alcohol use.
Youth respond to boundaries and expectations. The survey again showed that youth are less likely to drink alcohol when their parents set clear rules about alcohol and enforce consequences. Students who attend schools that set clear rules about using alcohol are also less likely to be harmfully involved in underage drinking. “The survey shows us that great progress is being made, but there is more work to do. It will take a continued community effort to protect our youth,” says Jim Kennedy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Coalition.
What Puts Kids At Risk?
For the 20% who do use alcohol regularly, the 2008 survey continues to highlight the risks that youth are exposed to that increase their alcohol use. One of those factors is alcohol availability and accessibility. Nearly half, 47%, of all students felt it was easy to obtain alcohol. Those students were 7 times more likely to use alcohol regularly.
80% of all underage drinking takes place in a private residence, either at home or at a friends house. 56% of all alcohol use occurs on the weekends. These situations present an opportunity for parental vigilance to prevent underage drinking. “Reducing the harms associated with underage drinking is not just taking the keys away, it is preventing alcohol use from ever starting with teens,:” says Mary Haag, interim President of the Coalition.
Underage drinking is also correlated with other high-risk behaviors studied in the survey. Elevated rates of regular drinking can be associated with students who get in trouble at school, skip school, get in trouble with police, take part in gang activities and have friends who use alcohol regularly. Peer influence has great impact during adolescent years, and the survey demonstrated that as grade level increases, peer perception of harm decreases, and regular alcohol use increases.
Research continues to show that underage alcohol consumption is harmful to the developing adolescent brain. Beyond any legal age guidelines, the areas of the brain responsible for decision making are damaged by alcohol even past the age of 21. Regular use of alcohol while the brain is still developing increases the risk of life-long harm and dependency.
12% of the students report high-risk drinking often. This is defined in the survey as having 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a few hours. Binge drinking adds a new dimension of harm to underage drinking, and increases the risks of long-term addiction and harmful behaviors associated with underage drinking including poor school performance, being the victim of or carrying out a sexual assault, violence, injury and acute alcohol poisoning.
Keeping Youth Alcohol Free
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati uses the data from the Student Drug Use survey to identify trends and design targeted initiatives to reduce the risk factors that contribute to underage drinking. The Coalition works to enhance the protective factors that help keep kids safe from the harms of underage alcohol use.
In the schools, the Coalition recently sponsored a School Policy Summit where administrators and policy makers from schools covering the 10 county region of greater Cincinnati gathered to discuss their anti-drug and alcohol policies, and learned about new evidence-based programs and practices to assist students. School officials are able to use this information in the districts to implement effective policies that keep students safe from drugs and alcohol.
Students who participate in school sports are 54% less likely to use drugs and alcohol on a regular basis. The Coalition and the University of Cincinnati along with Northkey RPC will host the Coaches, Kids & Chemicals workshop on September 15th. The event, at the Lindner Athletic Center on UC’s main campus, will be a day long event for coaches, athletic directors and student athlete leaders. Coaches and administrators will learn how to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities they have to positively affect the choices of youth. Student athletes will learn the importance of positive peer pressure and creating a “culture of no-use.”
Also, the Coalition is working with individual schools and school districts, as well as its network of 24 neighborhood coalitions, to use localized Student Drug Use survey data to identify opportunities to address key areas of risk and protection in their own community.
About the Student Drug Use Survey
The student drug use survey is a project of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati that provides in-depth analysis of the self-reported drug use patterns of area youth. Every two years, the Coalition implements this survey to collect youth drug use data from seventh through twelfth graders throughout the 10-county Greater Cincinnati area. The Coalition is leading the nation in collecting and disseminating current, reliable adolescent regional drug use data. This survey is recognized across the region and nationally as the most current and reliable source of validated information on local youth substance abuse.
About the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati (CDFGC), established in 1996 by former U.S. Congressman Rob Portman of Ohio, has become a model for community coalitions nationwide. The Coalition serves communities throughout the 10-county, tri-state region by promoting drug-free environments for youth by enhancing partnerships to educate, advocate and support locally-based community mobilization. This is accomplished through partnering with business leaders, parents, schools, youth, faith-based leaders, law enforcement, community groups, media and other partners in local communities to implement comprehensive, community-wide, anti-drug initiatives with a goal of reducing substance use and abuse through prevention education.
CINCINNATI— On Friday, April 11, 2008, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati hosted its annual community event. This year the event was a breakfast, held at Xavier University’s Schiff Conference and Banquet Center at the Cintas Center, and was attended by 170 members of the community. At the event, the Coalition celebrated its 12th anniversary and recognized community leaders and groups who have contributed to the Coalition’s mission.
Mr. Neil F. Tilow, President/CEO of Talbert House and recipient of 2008 Founder's Award. Mr. Tilow has given over a decade of service to the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, including serving on the Board of Trustees.
The 2008 Founders Award was given to Neil F. Tilow, President and CEO of Talbert House. This award is given in honor of the Coalition’s founder, former Congressman Rob Portman, to a community partner whose vision and strategic leadership has made a significant contribution to the Coalition’s overall mission of reducing adolescent substance abuse. Neil has supported the Coalition for a Drug-Free Cincinnati from its earliest days. He only recently retired from the Board of Trustees after a decade of service. In his tenure, he wisely guided the Coalition’s continued growth, encouraging its progress and helped it plant stronger roots throughout the region. He continues to generously provide his expertise to the Coalition as a friend and colleague.
The 2008 Commitment to Community award was given to Linda Verst. This award goes to a volunteer whose passion and innovative leadership contribute significantly to advancing substance abuse prevention in their community. Linda has been a prevention professional for over 20 years and has served numerous organizations including the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, Champions for a Drug Free Northern Kentucky (now Kenton County Alliance), the Kentucky Certification Board of Prevention Professionals, the Kentucky Advocate at the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and the Prevention Advocacy Group for Kentucky. Although now retired, she was an active member of the Reviving the Human Spirit Initiative, developed Student Assistance Programs, and worked diligently to advance the expertise and professionalism of the prevention field, among many other activities. She continues to volunteer her time to local efforts as much as possible.
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati has over 30 member community coalitions who work to prevent youth substance abuse in neighborhoods across the 10-county tri-state region. This year’s Outstanding Coalition of the Year award was given to the Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Fairfield. Founded in 2003, and serving the city of Fairfield and Fairfield township in Butler County, Ohio, the Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Fairfield was formed to build and strengthen the capacity of all within the community to create as safe, healthy, and drug-free Fairfield. They have been successful in expanding community involvement and partnerships, consistently making data-based decisions and plans, and braiding the asset development framework within their strategies and activities, resulting in their increased capacity to address adolescent substance abuse.
The final award was given to Alexandria Wilson, the 2008 Youth Volunteer of the Year. This award is given to the student who has best modeled a drug-free lifestyle and motivated their peers to take an active role in substance abuse prevention. Alexandria has been a member of Student Congress, the youth task force at the Coalition, for three years and currently serves as President. She helped develop the current “3 out of 4” campaign, peer to peer campaign targeting underage drinking. Alexandria is currently a Junior at Walnut Hills High School.
The Coalition’s Annual Community Event is a fundraiser to generate operating support for the organization. The 2008 event was attended by over 170 members of the community, including community leaders, elected officials, law enforcement officers, volunteers and others. The emcee for the event was Dan Carroll from Fox 19. The invocation was given by Bishop Dwight Wilkins, and music was provided by two quartets from the Starling Project Foundation, Inc.
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati wishes to thank everyone who made the event a tremendous success, including sponsors, award winners and staff. They especially wish to thank everyone who makes their work possible by committing to the vision that every youth will grow up in a purposely drug-free environment.
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati Announces
"I am 3 out of 4" campaign
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati announces a new campaign aimed at changing the perceptions of use and harm of underage drinking among youth between the ages of 12 and 17.
The campaign is called “I am 3 out of 4,” which refers to a statistic from the Student Drug Use Survey conducted by the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati. The 2006 survey, conducted among nearly 53,000 students from the Greater Cincinnati region, show that only 23% of youth have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. In other words, “3 out of every 4” 12-17 year olds in Greater Cincinnati do not consume alcohol on a regular basis.
Because the campaign is aimed at youth, the “3 out of 4” campaign was designed by Student Congress, the youth task force of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati. A diverse group of local students chose the message that would best impact their peers. Student Congress will also participate in local implementation. The effectiveness of the message lies in hearing it from other youth, reinforcing the inclusiveness of the statistic and message.
The campaign will be implemented locally at a grassroots level. The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati has 30 member coalitions from neighborhoods across the tri-state region, and each coalition will adapt the campaign to best fit their neighborhood. At a January 26, 2008, Skill-Building Session presented by the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, 36 members from various coalitions and other community-based groups strategized ways to localize the campaign components to their neighborhood/community.
Student Congress and the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati created a “toolbox” CD for each coalition to aid in implementation. The CD includes adaptable visual representations of the logo, audio Public Service Announcements of multiple lengths, and examples of print materials. Coalitions are also being encouraged to participate in an online discussion group to share success stories and build a support network to exchange materials and ideas.
If you would like more information on the “3 out of 4” campaign, including obtaining a “toolbox” resource CD, please contact Jeff Stewart at the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati at 513-751-8000.
Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati’s Newest Board Members Have Diversity of Experience & Knowledge
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