|
 Youth In Action is MADD’s community-based program that empowers high school students in helping to prevent underage drinking. Instead of solely focusing on anti-drinking messages, Youth In Action takes an action-based, environmental approach that’s proven effective in limiting youth access to alcohol.
Studies show that environmental strategies do more to create change than targeting individuals alone. From the store clerk who doesn't check IDs, to the police officer who might pour out the beer and send teens home, to the adult who doesn't mind buying beer if a kid slips him an extra $10, Youth in Action understands that change requires new behaviors among adults and across the community—not just among underage individuals.
Each Youth in Action team is led by a trained adult coordinator who helps students implement the program’s core projects. These projects focus on reducing underage access to alcohol by targeting social and retail access, and working with law enforcement to support the enforcement of underage drinking laws. MADD created Youth In Action in 1996. More than a decade later, active and involved Youth In Action teams are helping create healthier and safer communities across the country.
There are laws in all 50 states that make it illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to drink alcohol. But there are loopholes in the law actually make it legal in some states for underage drinkers to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. And people or establishments who sell or supply alcohol often receive a slap on the wrist –if any punishment at all.
Too often, adults are willing to break the law by supplying, providing or purchasing alcohol, and accepting underage drinking as a "rite of passage." Combined with irresponsible alcohol marketing and a lack of youth education and prevention programs, the actions of enabling adults are helping fuel a crisis that’s killing and injuring our nation’s young people. Youth in Action is here to help change this dangerous status quo.
Youth in Action Teams
Youth In Action teams are open to students in grades 9-12. Forming a team requires a committed adult coordinator who has passed a MADD criminal background check and a core group of students committed to reducing underage drinking in the community.
MADD has created a training DVD for Youth In Action adult coordinators that outlines all of the steps necessary to start groups and includes project information and resources. The MADD national office also conducts Youth In Action training sessions for new adult coordinators. In addition, some MADD state offices have Youth In Action coordinators who can provide additional training and resources.
Youth In Action teams can be active even in counties without a MADD chapter—as long as they have a trained, committed adult coordinator. The MADD national office, state office, local police department and other organizations can also serve as valuable resources.
Cooperation with Law Enforcement
Youth in Action teams seek strong partnerships with local law enforcement. Each of the program’s projects begins with communication to the police department explaining the project and requesting the presence of an officer to accompany team members to protect their safety and ensure that no laws are broken.
After most projects are completed, Youth in Action members contact the media to share the results with the community. Teams issue a news release that credits the police department for its support and assistance.
Youth in Action Projects
Youth In Action projects are based on recommendations from “Reducing Underage Drinking,” a report from the National Academy of Sciences. When used together, these projects can successfully reduce access to alcohol and create lasting change.
Most Youth in Action projects take one to three meetings to plan. The projects themselves take an average of two hours to complete. And the cost of projects is very reasonable. Team members can make many of the supplies themselves; others are often secured from companies willing to donate resources and materials to nonprofit and volunteer groups.
In addition, MADD makes a variety of low-cost materials available, including stickers, survey tools, pens, pencils, wristbands, mugs and more. To ensure safety and reduce liability, all Youth in Action projects require the presence of the chapter’s adult coordinator.
Youth in Action Projects
Alcohol purchase surveys
A young-looking 21-year-old volunteer attempts to purchase alcohol without an ID. No actual purchase is made. It is merely a survey to see if the clerk would have sold alcohol to a presumed minor without ID. The chapter and law enforcement notify the community about stores that aren’t complying with the law.
Compliance checks
With the help of the local police department, young people act as underage buyers of alcohol. With police, they go into stores and attempt to purchase alcohol. If the clerks don’t ask for ID and make the sale, the police may cite or arrest the store clerk.
Shoulder-tap surveys
With law enforcement present to ensure safety, a young person (or group of young people) approaches an adult outside a retail store that sells alcohol. The young person asks if the adult would be willing to purchase alcohol for them because they’re too young to legally buy. Adults that answer "yes" receive a card outlining the law and the penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor. Adults that answer "no" are handed a card thanking them for serving their community by refusing to provide alcohol to a minor.
Sticker shock
Youth in Action members meet with local retailers that sell alcohol and ask permission to place warning stickers on the packaging of alcohol products (primarily beer). The stickers are very visible and warn of the consequences of purchasing alcohol for people under the age of 21. This project is designed to remind adults that they can be arrested for purchasing alcohol for minors.
Roll call briefings
Youth in Action members set up meetings with their local police departments to make presentations at shift change meetings, known as “roll call.” Two or three members go to the police station with an adult leader to encourage officers to enforce underage drinking and zero tolerance laws. Many teams have printed cards or notepads to hand out outlining the laws and declaring their support for it.
Law enforcement special recognition program
Youth in Action members publicly honor local law enforcement officials who are working to prevent underage drinking and impaired driving. This can be done at a formal banquet, media event or at the police station. Some chapters have even had food brought to the stations or out to a location where police officers are working on the job. Either way, this is a unique opportunity for teens to thank police officers for doing their job.
Media advocacy
Teams use media advocacy to further their mission and enhance their environmental strategies. Whenever a team works on a project, they send out news releases, write letters to the editor of their local newspaper and invite media participation. Media coverage can help change adult attitudes and build support for the positive actions teens are taking to improve the community.
Get involved
By bringing young people and adults together, Youth in Action helps your community address the challenge of underage drinking. Visit the Youth In Action Web site.
|