NCJ Number
167130
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 80-91
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study was conducted to elicit opinions of young people in Illinois on programs designed to educate adolescents about drinking and driving and on how future programs should be designed.
Abstract
The study sample included 115 people between 15 and 24 years of age; 60 were female and 55 were male, and 80 were white and 31 were black. Research questions were formulated for use in focus group interviews. Responses suggested young people had clear opinions regarding what constituted a positive program of education about drinking and driving. The different focus groups demonstrated remarkable consensus among and between groups and across age, gender, ethnicity, and social background divisions. Participants sought programs with a skills building approach to prevention. They expressed considerable concern about social consequences of drinking and driving, but they did not view governmental, legal, or policy mechanisms as effective ways to prevent drinking and driving. In addition, participants did not believe punitive school and workplace were effective. Older respondents tended to favor programs that identified legal consequences of drinking and driving. Study limitations and the need to include adolescents and young people in the development of drinking and driving prevention programs are discussed. 20 references