Panhandle SPF-SIG Program Evaluation:

Presentation of Data Related to Needs Assessment

Mark DeKraai &

Felice Reddy

Question 1: DUI and non-DUI liquor law violation arrests

Question 2: Alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes

Question 3: Treatment center admissions in which alcohol was primary drug of choice

Percent of Treatment Center Admissions in Which Alcohol is

Drug of Choice, by County

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Question 4: Alcohol-involved trauma center admissions

County Differences in Percent of Trauma Center Admissions with

Alcohol in Patients System

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Any Alcohol

BAC > 0.8

Medical professionals often saw young people who had ingested large quantities of alcohol, referred to as binge drinking or life-threatening drinking behavior among youth.

Medical professionals noted high percentage of sexual assaults involving minors included alcohol use by either the perpetrator or victim.

Additionally, drinking or use of drugs (including over-the-counter medications) was reported as often being involved in youth suicide attempts.

When alcohol-related accidents occurred, they affected multiple young people. “People drinking seem to jump in the same vehicle together,”

Question 5: Current alcohol use

Current Alcohol Use by Adults by County, 2003-2007

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The impression of high school students was that alcohol use was not very prevalent at their school.

The students estimated that only 10-20% of the students used alcohol.

Being involved in church or school activities served as a deterrent to alcohol use and testing for drug use among athletes as a deterrent.

High school students were more likely than elementary or middle school students to report learning about alcohol and drugs from their parents, although they reported that parents had less influence on their views.

The influence of peer attitudes and behavior was reported to have more influence on high schools students than on elementary or middle school students.

Internet efforts aimed at prevention may be effective for high school students.

High school and middle school students are more likely than elementary students to obtain information about drugs and alcohol through the media, although it would be beneficial to prepare children to evaluate media messages at a younger age.

Students across all three age groups appeared to be more aware of prevention efforts include the Community Heroes Campaign than in focus groups conducted previously.

Prevention efforts for elementary students may be more effective if they target the entire family rather than just the child.

Question 6: Binge drinking (defined as having 5 or more drinks in a row)

Binge Drinking Reported by Youth in 2007

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PanhandleNebraska

Focus group concern about underage drinkers engaged in risky or life threatening binge drinking

College age participants were especially concerned about freshman who seemed to be more prone to make more poor choices related to alcohol use than upper-class students.

Question 7: Alcohol-impaired driving

Step 3:Selecting Prevention Priorities

Three Criteria

Prevalence

Economic/Social Impact:

Community Capacity:

Prevalence

•Number of persons involved ( What percentage is engaging in this behavior)

•Comparison with State of Nebraska ( How does the Panhandle compare with the State as a whole?)

•Historical Trends (optional)

Questions 8-11: Rating Prevalence

Social /Economic Impact

How consequences impact community including productivity at work and school, health of population, crime and punishment, and treatment of alcohol dependence and abuse.

Questions 12-15: Rating Social/Economic Impact

•Review Questions 1-4 •Add anecdotal evidence •Community Meeting Summary •Native American Meeting Summary

Community Capacity Analysis of coalition capacity and community readiness.

On Line Survey ResultsKey Informant Interviews

Challenge: New coalition of coalitions. Variances in county groups.

For today, our perceptions as a region and knowledge gained from community meetings.

We will cross check and address any variations with surveys and reports.

Summary Points from Community Meetings

Alcohol Use 17 and Under•Regional History•All community meetings had extensive dialogue, concern•Some communities were not certain they could impact

Summary Points from Community Meetings (ctd)

Binge Drinking 18-25 • We have a problem but will we talk about it?•Communities felt that by 18 it was okay for kids to drink.•Chadron efforts in research and action (Ordinance)

Summary Points from Community Meetings (ctd)

Alcohol Impaired Driving•The elephant in our living room

Questions 16-19: Community Capacity Assessment

Question 20: Final Priority Section

Question 22: Alcohol outlet density

Question 23: Youth alcohol access and consumption

Question 24: Ease of alcohol access for youth

High school students thought adults were either unaware or condoning of alcohol use among teens.

Many of the students described parents as a primary source for obtaining alcohol.

Kids would either steal alcohol from their homes, or obtain alcohol from consenting parents or older friends.

Teens easily offered numerous areas where teens could go to drink. These areas ranged from keg parties at private residences to gatherings at public parking lots.

Question 25: Adult attitudes toward allowing minors to drink alcohol

Panhandle Adult Perceptions of Community Adult Provision of

Alcohol to Minors

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Believe thatMore than Half of

Community Adults

Provide Alcohol to

Believe that More than

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Adults Allow

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Question 31: Arrest rates for alcohol related offenses

Question 35: Perceptions and attitudes about alcohol

Youth Perceptions of Peer and Adult Drinking

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PeerAdult

College and high school focus groups acknowledged that drinking has long been part of the culture of Panhandle communities. Teen drinking is accepted at some community events, where access to alcohol can be as easy as helping oneself to a drink from a beer keg placed in the open. Drinking alcohol is viewed by some as a rite of passage to adulthood.

In addition to familial and community influences, personal and social factors influence a teen’s susceptibility to alcohol and drug use.

Question 39: Perceived risk associated with alcohol use