Alcohol continues to be the #1 drug impacting our communities and is one of the least likely to be plastered (pun intended!) in the headlines. One of the most dangerous phrases when it comes to prevention has to be “I did it when I was a kid and I turned out fine.” The physical, legal, social & economic impacts of alcohol misuse is a burden that is felt by every resident in communities across the nation. Attractive new products, acceptability of use, and the increased availability and accessibility of high content products continue to pose a threat to youth & adults alike. Understanding that alcohol is an issue in the community is one thing…but moving stakeholders and coalitions into sustainable actions is a whole other ballgame! There is no greater strategy than policy change. Knowing the politics and processes behind this change can help coalitions strengthen relationships with their policy makers and build momentum to move from simply talking about the problem to mobilize for action - without crossing the lobbying line. It's time to permanently park the mock car crashes & put away those drunk goggles to invest in what works for alcohol prevention in youth & promote the policies that have been shown to reduce access in your community.
Learning Goal #1:
Attendees will learn the basics of alcohol misuse & addiction, including alcohol use trends across the lifespan.
Learning Goal #2:
Attendees will learn about the latest alcohol products, counter messaging strategies, and how "the industry" has changed over the years.
Learning Goal #3:
Attendees will also learn where to invest their time, how maximize resources & relationships, and how to engage the community in what works to reduce the burden of alcohol without crossing the lobbying line.
