NCJ Number
248662
Date Published
January 2013
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This paper draws on findings from the evaluation of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP's) Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) to assist communities in promoting behavioral change as a means of preventing under age drinking.
Abstract
As part of EUDL efforts, most States conducted educational initiatives that targeted underage drinking laws, and they increased enforcement that focused on youth. Communities used compliance checks more extensively, which resulted in an improvement in the rates of merchants' compliance with underage drinking laws. There was evidence of short-term changes in youths' drinking behavior, particularly in reduced driving after drinking. There was also an increase in the perception of the consequences of underage drinking and the sale of alcohol to minors. Three recommendations emerged from the EUDL evaluation. First, study and assess the nature of the underage drinking problem in the community, so as to improve the selection of evidence-based strategies that fit with local conditions. Second, implement selected strategies fully and in compliance with research-based practices. Third, plan to ensure that successful programs can be sustained through data collection and analysis that shows the cost-effectiveness of the strategies. Distinctive evaluation recommendations are drawn for rural communities and for Air Force installations and adjacent communities in four States (Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Montana). 6 references