Justice System Response to Underage Drinking: Roadmap for Improvement Campus and Community Best Practices June 20, 2011
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Justice System Response to Underage Drinking: Roadmap for Improvement Campus and Community Best Practices June 20, 2011 The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center (UDETC) Established by OJJDP to support its Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program Provides science-based guidance to States, Territories and communities working to combat underage drinking through law enforcement and environmental policy change. The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center Services include: On-site training Monthly audio-teleconferences Publications (over 30 specific to UAD) Electronic Resource Alerts Distance Learning Compliance Check Operations Environmental Strategies /Controlled Party Dispersal-Coming Soon! Toll-free assistance hotline: 1-877-335-1287 Internet web site (udetc.org) Annual National Leadership Conference August 10-12. Orlando Florida Young People Are Experiencing a Different Drinking Environment What has changed: What they drink (potency of alcohol) How much they drink Frequency of drinking Age they begin drinking Overall availability of alcohol The definition of a “drink” Parent or adult supervision New Container Sizes Encourage Greater Consumption New sizing = confusion about what is really “a drink” 5 Source: FACE, 2004. Underage drinking can be a serious threat to campus and community. These photos are from riots at University of Colorado, Boulder. Additional threats to campus community Security Property Damage Sexual assaults Assaults Increased Dropout Rates Roommate Conflicts Automobile Crashes Campuses have their own unique challenges. Older classmates supply alcohol Fraternities, sororities, dorms, and house parties Parties consist of 100 plus youth Multiple kegs of beer Alcohol is sold on some campuses What we know Due to the unique nature of each campus one cookie cutter approach will not work. Each campus should develop a comprehensive coalition which implements evidence based environmental strategies. A statewide coalition can provide additional resources, support and clout. Environmental Strategies: What are they? Strategies used to reduce problems associated with the use of alcohol through changes in the physical, social, legal, and economic environment Basic Concepts of Environmental Change Establishes community norms Policy-oriented Addresses physical, social, legal, & economic factors Involves Youth participation Engages citizen action Partners with law enforcement, the legal system, community groups, and community leaders Environmental Strategies What’s So Great About Them? 1. 2. 3. 4. Effective and Efficient Immediate Results Long lasting effects Inherently Sustainable Environmental Prevention: On Campus and Off Addresses: Norms Availability Regulations or policies Enforcement Environmental & Evidenced-Based Strategies Involve Students, Parents, Communities Social Norming to Correct Misperceptions Educate and Enforce Policies (Social Host Law) Alcohol Screening and Brief Motivational Enhancement of Policy Violators Provide Alcohol Free Options Enforce, Adjudicate & Educate on Laws and Policies Example for College Campuses: All campus have an AOD policy All students must receive a copy of the policy Educate on the policy especially the social host law and the sanctions of the social host law Review basics of policy in summer welcome with both parents and students. Campuses and Communities NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ! Colleges and Universities need to build partnerships within the campus community and with the surrounding community as well. THE STRATEGY 1. Education and Awareness Programs 2. Community Involvement 3. Enforcement Activities 4. Develop and Implement Clear and Consistent Alcohol Policies 5. Media Support Education and Awareness Education and Awareness Research – Data collection Survey your student population to develop a baseline and your schools culture. Share the information/data with students, administrators and policy makers to determine where to focus your efforts. Education and Awareness Set policy and enforcement priorities: Share them with campus and community. Foster student participation. Get student groups, (i.e., fraternities and sororities) involved in educational programs. Recruit students to help each other. Build a sense of community responsibility. Community Involvement Why involve the broader community? Builds and strengthens support of community members and alumni for policy and enforcement efforts Helps to forge peaceful relationships between higher education and the general community Provides a broader perspective and resource availability HOW DO WE GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED/WHO IS THE COMMUNITY? ASK ! & Provide a Reason to Participate Students Faculty/Staff/Administrators Local Businesses Law Enforcement Judicial partners Parents Clergy Counselors, Support Groups Best Practices Enforcement Strategies Enforcement Strategies Building partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and sharing information and intelligence. Compliance Checks Implement zero tolerance Should taps operations Enforcement Strategies Joint Task Force Patrols Establish specific goals within the community regarding the enforcement of liquor law violations. Convey to the student body and community that joint enforcement efforts are in place. Policy Development The goal of policies focused on the problem of underage drinking is to change attitudes and behaviors as well as educate. Clear and Consistent Alcohol Policies Will open containers of alcohol be allowed on campus? How will open containers, even by those already 21, be transported across campus? What is the policy on kegs and multiple cases on campus ? Are there limits in place? What is the policy for alcohol in the residence halls when minors are present? Parental Notification? Referral to Judicial Affairs? Referral for screening/assessment? Policy: Best Practices Restrict the location of alcohol outlets. Restrict alcohol sales at community events. Regulate the age of alcohol sellers and servers. Impose appropriate penalties Ban False IDs. Cont: Restrict minors’ access to bars. Install and use drivers license scanners. Regulate home delivery and internet sales. Mandate responsible server training. Implement beer keg registration. What makes a good policy? Reasonable Fair Consistent Clear Concise Well communicated Policy Makers Administrators Community members Student Affairs, Residence Life Judicial Affairs Student Health Services Campus Police, Security, Public Safety Campus Ministry Students Business Owners Media Power! Develop a strategy Develop program support through the use of media Establish goals and objectives Understand the media objectives Select your target audience What is your message? Assessment Schools are not separate from the rest of the community… For alcohol and other drug prevention education messages to work, they must be supported within the community beyond the school walls; and alcohol policies and laws must be fairly, consistently, and expeditiously enforced. Campus Officials and students at UIW partnered with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to: •Ban Alcohol Promotion and Advertising •Create Four Substance Free Dorms •Restructure swift University Enforcement and Adjudication Practices •Sponsor Alcohol-Free Events Additional Resources AMA (American Medical Association) APIS (Alcohol Policy Information System) CAMY (Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth) CDC (Centers for Disease Control) CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) FACE: Truth and Clarity on Alcohol (Facing Alcohol Concerns through Education) Join Together Marin Institute Remember Change can often be a slow painstaking process. When dealing with a population base that is changing every year and a population base that is often in the tens of thousands a one or two percent change can be statistically significant. Highlight the change no matter how small. Every little victory counts. “Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost.” Thomas J. Watson OJJDP’s document, “Environmental Strategies to Prevent Alcohol Problems on College Campuses” •Visit the UDETC website to download at no cost: www.udetc.org STRATEGIES Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center Contact Information Contact Info: Mary V. Gordon, Georgia’s UDETC State Contact Office: 1-877-335-1287; Cell: 240.354.2130 Email: [email protected]; website: www.udetc.org Consultant: Nancy McGee, Special Agent, MOATC, 3256 Laclede Station Road, Suite 102, St. Louis, MO 63143, 314-8770325 [email protected]