Underage Drinking Survey Results Released

The Livingston County Prevention Project (LCPP) completed an online survey which evaluated the effectiveness of recent underage drinking campaigns, including the annual Parents Who Host Lose the Most (PWHLM) and the spring Project Sticker Shock campaigns, according to a press release.

Of the 116 people who completed the online survey: 

• 66 percent of the respondents read or heard media messages about the dangers of underage drinking.
• 84 percent recalled seeing or hearing about the Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign.
• 62 percent thought the information was helpful to self and family.
• 44 percent of the respondents reported the information led to a discussion between self and their children.
• 45 percent of reported the information led to a discussion between self and other parents or adults.
• 91 percent of the respondents reported they heard the message that it is "illegal for parents and other adults to host or allow teen drinking at parties in their home."

According to a press release, the Livingston County Prevention Project said they were "very encouraged and inspired by the results of this survey" which was an online survey targeting Pinckney and Fowlerville residents.

The goal of these prevention campaigns is to get a clear message out to the community. Project Sticker Shock is designed to reach adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. 

Stickers warning about the penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors are placed on all multi-packs of beer, wine coolers, and other alcohol products that might appeal to underage drinkers. PWHLM was developed by Drug Free Action Alliance of Ohio. It is a public awareness program educating communities and parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties. 

Campaign organizers feel these survey results are a strong indication the prevention message is being heard. 

“The survey results show that parents and community members are embracing the PWHLM campaign message and it is exciting to see the PWHLM materials go up around the county each spring. Those of us, who do substance abuse prevention, are committed to reducing underage drinking so that Livingston County youth are healthy and safe” said Kris Nelson, Livingston County Parent and Prevention Specialist at Key Development Center.