Parents and Communities Together (PACT)
What is PACT?
PACT (Parents and Communities Together) is the local name for Partners for Otoe County's Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol intiative to reduce and prevent underage drinking among youth who reside in or are educated in Otoe County, Nebraska. We do this by mobilizing as a community to reduce the supply of alcohol to teens.
Why was PACT Initiated in Otoe County?
Alcohol is the primary illegal substance used by youth in Otoe County. The Nebraska Risk and Protective Factors Survey of 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in Otoe County in 2007 indicates that 49.6% of Otoe County 6th through 12th graders have used more than a sip or a taste of alcohol in their lifetime, 24.3% used alcohol in the 30 days previous to the survey. Among seniors enrolled at high schools in Otoe County, 1 in 3 said they had been involved in binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row within the two weeks prior to the survey) and more that 1 in 4 said they had driven after drinking alcohol in the past year. The source of the alcohol for those under 21 is adults, and half the youth reporting alcohol use indicated that one or more adults were present the last time they used alcohol.
The top three contributing factors to underage alcohol use in Otoe County are:
- Favorable Social and Community Norms
- Low Perceived Risk of Consequences
- Easy Social Access
Root causes for local underage alcohol use include:
- Social acceptance of alcohol use
- Youth attitudes and perceptions related to alcohol use
- Belief there is a low risk of getting caught
- Alcohol outlet density (one outlet for every 215 people - second highest in state)
Current Strategies:
- Reduce the supply of alcohol to minors through policy change
- Educate the community on the consequences of supplying alcohol to minors
- Promote the use of the underage drinking hotline 1-866-MUST-B-21
- Mail letters to graduating seniors and their parents to reduce alcohol use at graduation parties.
- Initiate special enforcement operations to deter underage drinking at peak times
- Teach All Stars curriculum the first two years of middle school
- Develop the skills of the partners involved in PACT to effectively reduce the supply of alcohol to minors
Get Involved:
Youth alcohol abuse costs Nebraska taxpayers approximately $400 million per year. The social and emotional costs in ruined and lost lives, shattered dreams and an increased likelihood to use other drugs is immeasurable. You can take action to prevent underage drinking:
- Sign the Safe Homes Pledge to provide a safe, supervised, alcohol-free environment for youth in your home
- Talk with your teens about underage drinking - go to http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/the-power-of-parents/ for tips for talking with your kids
- Report Underage Drinking at 1-866-MUST-B-21
If you would like to join PACT in our efforts to reduce teen alcohol use in Otoe County, please e-mail program coordinator Laurie Riley at laurie.riley@windstream.net or call 873-6343.
Bret Kochanowicz and Jameson DeFreece display the Life of an Athlete banner at Lourdes Central Catholic
Nebraska City PRIDE Students display their Life of An Athlete banner
____________________________________________________________
PACT Links
CADCA
Coalitions On-Line News Articles
www.youtube.com/watch
Prevention Institute (coming soon)
Prevent Underage Drinking Page
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/statevideos.aspx
____________________________________________________________
Larry the Cable Guy
____________________________________________________________
PACT Resources
Report Underage Drinking
____________________________________________________________
More PACT Information
PACT Brochure
____________________________________________________________
Operation Pill Drop Flyer
2011 DEA event flyer-Nebraka City
