Alcohol Abuse Prevention Activity/Capacity Assessment

Q: Who is administering this questionnaire?

A:   This questionnaire is being administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP), as part of a grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

Q: Why is this survey being administered? How will the information be used?

A:   ODCP is attempting to learn what programs and services are being administered at the state level throughout Michigan that may serve to prevent or reduce alcohol related traffic crash deaths and/or underage drinking (UAD). Collecting such information will allow ODCP to determine where there may be gaps in capacity and/or services, and to identify potential partnerships/opportunities for collaboration

Q: My department doesn't do anything related to alcohol related traffic crash deaths. What information do we have to offer?

A:   Agencies sometimes administer programs and services that, although not specifically designed to reduce or prevent alcohol related traffic fatalities and/or UAD, may ultimately impact this goal. You may be addressing some of the key areas listed below, which will ultimately impact our goal. These areas include the following:   Please see appendix for definitions of following terms

• Economic Availability of alcohol
• Retail Availability of alcohol
• Social Availability of alcohol
• Laws and Policies related to alcohol use
• Enforcement and Adjudication
• Promotion by media and the alcohol industry
• Social Norms/acceptance of alcohol misuse/abuse
• Mediating resources

To give a few examples, if your agency is doing anything which might have a positive impact on knowledge about the risks of alcohol, community norms regarding behaviors associated with alcohol misuse, underage drinking, binge drinking or driving while drunk, then you are providing services/programs related to this project.

Q: Substance abuse prevention is not a priority for my department. Why should we complete this questionnaire?

A:   Many departments (e.g. Education, Human Services, Corrections) have already committed to collaborating with MDCH on this grant project. However, information is needed from all state agencies to enable MDCH to be more effective in carrying out their mission. We need your help to be successful.

If you have any question, please contact:

Larry P. Scott
Manager, Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Division
ScottLP@michigian.gov
517-373-4700

8 Key Areas of Focus

Does your department do anything to influence or enforce any of the following--specifically related to alcohol use/abuse?

Economic Availability of Alcohol: anything that affects the price, unlicensed sales, drink specials, internet sales, taxes

Retail Availability of Alcohol: responsible retailer action/accountability (e.g. posting store policies/laws related to alcohol sales, sales clerk training ), location, responsible beverage services (e.g. limiting service to intoxicated patrons), outlet densities, hours and days of retail sale, size of container/serving size, security and product display placement in retail stores (e.g. putting merchandise behind counters)

Social Availability of Alcohol: parental supervision/network, seasonal recreational activity (e.g. hunting, snowmobiling, boating), social and cultural events (e.g. festivals, graduations, weddings, funerals, concerts, sporting events, office parties), private residences, unlicensed parties

Laws and Policies related to alcohol use: state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, school policies, social host liability

Enforcement and Adjudication: enforcement, perceived enforcement, consequences, perceived consequences, enforcement by educational institutions, adult providers, Social Host liability

Promotion by media and the alcohol industry: variety of advertising, frequency of advertising, targeted promotion and products, product placement in youth oriented media, location, drink specials, sporting events, glamorization of drinking in media

Social Norms/acceptance of alcohol misuse/abuse: family, community, and cultural history, neighborhood resident turnover and connection with neighbors, parental attitude, rite of passage, perceived peer pressure, age of first use, internet, parental approval of social drinking, seasonal recreational activity (e.g. hunting, snowmobiling, boating)

Mediating resources: alternative transportation (e.g. free rides home for people who have been drinking), prevention, and early intervention and treatment services

Alcohol Abuse Prevention Activity/Capacity Assessment Survey