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URC collaborates with ICF Macro on Underage Drinking Prevention Education Initiatives: A government sponsored project to prevent and reduce underage drinking nationwide

Underage drinking has serious social costs and often tragic personal consequences. According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug use and Health, about 10 million people aged 12 to 20 (over a quarter of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Approximately 6.6 million (over 17 percent) were binge drinkers, and more than 2 million (5.5 percent) were heavy drinkers. Each year underage drinking claims the lives of approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21. This figure includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes; 1,600 as a result of homicides; 300 from suicide; and hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning.

URC and prime contractor ICF Macro continue to support the efforts of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to prevent and reduce underage drinking through the Underage Drinking Prevention Education Initiatives, or UDPEI.  This initiative follows on the Health Communications Initiative for the Prevention of Underage Alcohol Use, which was also led by ICF Macro and URC.

Under this new initiative, URC and ICF Macro will conduct state-of-the art health communications research and implementation of outreach activities; provide multifaceted communications support; develop culturally relevant publications; assist SAMHSA/CSAP in using web technologies and online communications materials; and

• Maintain interactive web sites designed to raise awareness among youth about underage drinking and its consequences
• Organize conference and workshop planning
• Coordinate and manage the implementation of the national Town Hall Meetings on underage drinking prevention
• Assist States in the development of underage drinking prevention videos

URC addresses underage drinking with innovative communication efforts aimed at target populations.

URC will contribute to these efforts by:

• Developing materials targeted for racial and ethnic minorities and other special populations such as:
• Spanish-speaking families
• American Indians
• African Americans
• Children of military families
• Young people aged 18-25
• Planning and executing comprehensive marketing of SAMHSA/CSAP products
• Providing graphic design support for a variety of print- and web-based materials
• Providing technical assistance and training to STOP Act grantees and other community-based organizations
• Maintaining CSAP’s partnerships with national organizations and groups to implement Building Blocks for a Healthy Future and national Town Hall Meetings.

URC enhances technical assistance provided for nationwide Town Hall Meetings through webinars and podcasts.

In spring 2010, URC will assist in the coordination of nationwide Town Hall Meetings to raise awareness about underage drinking and its consequences by actively recruiting National, State, and local stakeholders to maximize community participation. In addition, URC will develop relevant materials and online resources such as webinars and podcasts to guide communities on how to organize THMs, encourage maximum participation, and allow intermediaries and stakeholders to plan ahead.

For more information, please contact Gail B. Dym at gdym@urc-chs.com.

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