HEALTH Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking
May 1, 2009

Average Age of First Alcohol – 12.5

Average Age of Regular Alcohol Use – 13.9

Percent Reporting Alcohol Use in Past 30

Days
 Grade 6 – 5.2%
 Grade 8 – 17.4%
 Grade 10 – 32%
 Grade 12 – 41.8%

At their own home – 46.2%

At someone else’s home – 30.8%

Open area, like a park, etc. – 11.5%

Restaurant, bar – 7.7%

In a Car 3.8%


RISK factors enable teen drug and

alcohol use
PROTECTIVE factors help prevent teen

drug and alcohol use
According to the student survey, what are
the risk and protective factors in
Columbia County?

School
Religiosity Success and
Commitment
Low family
Family and
mobility and
Neighborhood
Attachment transitions
Peer attitudes not
favorable to
Opportunities and Antisocial Behavior;
Rewards for Prosocial Perceived risk of
Involvement Drug Use, Low Intent
to Use

Sensation
seeking, Perceived
Friends’ Use of Availability of
Drugs, Gang Drugs
Involvement
Poor Family
Community
Management
Disorganiza
and Family
tion
Rebelliousness, Early
Conflict
Initiation of Drug Use
& Antisocial Behavior,
Community Norms
Interaction with
Favorable to Alcohol
Antisocial Peers,
and Drug Use
Depressive
Symptoms, Peer
Rewards for Antisocial
Behavior

• Help parents communicate clear expectations
Family about drug use and underage drinking
• Help parents monitor teen behavior and
Management activities.
• Use social media tools to connect and inform
Community parents
• Parent to parent contact for monitoring teen
Disorganization activities
Community Norms • Communicate community and parental
disapproval of drug use and underage drinking
Favorable to • Reinforce messages about the risks of drug
Alcohol & Drug Use abuse and underage drinking

It’s Fun!

It Connects People and Strengthens Bonds

It’s a Good Way to Share Information

It’s Where Our Kids Are

Why Facebook?
Hundreds of Columbia County parents use

Facebook.
 It’s a powerful tool for connecting parents and
information

HEALTH in Columbia County wants to help you have a
Safe Teen Party!
Enter to win the Safe Teen Party Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner
will receive all three gift certificates ($100 value) for a summer party
for friends or family.
$50 Wal-Mart gift certificate

$25 Dairy Queen gift certificate

$25 Pizza Inn gift certificate

Take the Parent’s Pledge to Prevent Teen Drug and Alcohol Use; then, enter
the contest online at the HEALTH in Columbia County blog.*
This contest is open to adults, ages 21 and over, in Columbia County, Arkansas. One entry per household
please. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2009.
* Printed entry forms are available at select locations in Columbia County.