StopAlcoholAbuse.Gov is a comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue. People interested in underage drinking prevention—including parents, educators, community-based organizations, and youth—will find a wealth of valuable information here.

There are three action guides--specifically for families, communities, and educators--based on The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking (PDF 1MB). These guides highlight what each group can do to reduce underage alcohol use in America and help prevent the problems underage drinking causes.

Follow these links to locate information on each publication:

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking (PDF 1MB)	A Guide to Action for Families (PDF 900KB)	A Guide to Action for Communities (PDF 974KB)	A Guide to Action for Educators (PDF 1.08MB)	Guía de acción para las comunidades (PDF 811KB)	Guía de acción para las familias (PDF 811KB)

 

Promote Healthy Homecomings and Celebrations

Every fall, towns, high schools, and colleges come together to welcome back former residents and alumni. Homecoming activities range from football games and tailgate parties to parades, dances, and rallies. In the coming months, many adolescents will participate in these and other celebrations where alcohol is often easily accessible.

Schools and communities can incorporate underage drinking prevention when planning and conducting traditional events and celebrations. They can:

• Publicize and enforce policies against alcohol use on school and community property and at all events.
• Sponsor and promote alcohol-free activities.
• Make sure nonalcoholic beverages are available at all events.

Find more ideas in Menu: Strategies and Materials for Your Community (PDF 993KB) and The Surgeon General’s Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking: What It Means to You—A Guide to Action for Communities (PDF 974KB).

New E-Cards for Youth!

SAMHSA’s Too Smart To Start prevention education initiative has unveiled two new e-cards designed especially for tweens and teens to personalize and e-mail to their friends or siblings. These cards can be used to encourage youth not to give in to peer pressure or to help teens and tweens support each other in their decision to stay away from alcohol. Coming soon are e-cards for parents and other adults. Spanish versions will also be posted.

National Red Ribbon Week—October 23-31, 2008
Underage Drinking Prevention: Protect the Future of Our Youth!

Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention observance that reaches millions of youth during the last week of October, is fast approaching. This observance provides organizations such as yours with the perfect opportunity to conduct activities that raise awareness about underage alcohol use and ways to prevent it in your community. What you do today can be enormously important in protecting the future of our youth.

Find underage drinking prevention materials to support the 2008 Red Ribbon Week observance.

New Data from SAMHSA on Underage Drinking

The 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the nation’s largest substance use assessment, shows the level of alcohol use dropped among those aged 12 to 17, from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 15.9 percent in 2007. To view the report, go to http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUHlatest.htm. To view the related press release, go to http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0809033637.aspx.