The DPI STOPs Underage drinking project proposes expanding and enhancing prevention services in the City of Decatur. Decatur is a current Drug-Free Communities recipient, and all of our efforts are data-driven and based on the Strategic Prevention Framework. This project will address community norms, reduce opportunities for underage drinking, increase enforcement efforts, examine underage drinking penalties, and build awareness of the negative consequences of underage drinking. For the first time, DPI proposes establishing a college-based youth action team to assist with the planning and implementation of many of these efforts. This project proposed to offer multiple strategies, as determined by the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA), to help create community-level change. This project will target youth ages 12-20 and their families by providing information, enhancing skills, providing support, reducing access, changing consequences, and modifying policies and practices. The project will offer such activities as a Sticker Shock campaign, a series of public awareness campaigns, forums on the negative consequences of underage drinking, and a parent handbook to guide parents during an identified high-risk time for their emerging adults. DPI will also provide input into existing policies and procedures for students who engage in underage drinking and conduct an annual Town Hall forum to gain community insight and feedback on underage drinking. DPI has commitments from nine critical local agencies and organizations to assist with developing an action plan and carrying out that plan. These agencies and organizations have specific roles and responsibilities to ensure the effective delivery of the proposed strategies. With their support, DPI will produce a behavioral health disparity impact statement and will utilize this statement in ensure that under-resourced youth and families are given a priority for services during the project. DPI anticipates reaching at least 3500 young people annually. However, with environmental strategies, it is expected that this project will impact the entire community of over 25,000 people. DPI will communicate our efforts and success with the lessons learned throughout the project.
