Action Plan
Underage drinking costs our entire community
- Underage drinking alone costs the United States $24.3 billion a year
- $3.8 billion in health care costs
- $13.7 billon in lost labor or productivity
- $6.8 billion in other costs such as crime, accidents, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Tobacco Use
- Tobacco related illness costs the United States $300 billion each year
- Almost $170 billion for direct medical care for adults
- More than $156 billion in lost productivity, including $5.6 billion in lost productivity due to secondhand smoke exposure
7 Strategies for Community Change
Provide Information
Create educational opportunities for youth, parents, and community members to reduce use of alcohol and tobacco products among youth.
1
Enhance Skills
Facilitate community events for schools, parents, teachers, and retail establishments concerning prevention efforts.
2
Provide Support
Support youth-led programs to promote substance free alternative activities and events. Support county-wide youth council.
3
Enhance Access
Identify barriers to participation in healthy activities and create a community plan for overcoming barriers.
4
Change Consequences
Provide training for retail compliance and serving practices.
5
Change Physical Design
Conduct community scan to identify areas of easy access. Work with establishments to decrease signage around schools.
6
Modify Policy
Work with schools to provide evidence-based alternatives to suspension. Work with parks, festivals, and other community events to develop guidelines for serving policies.
7