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Underage Drinking Prevention

Underage Drinking Task Force (UDTF)

The Underage Drinking Task Force (UDTF) works to prevent underage drinking through education, intervention, and targeted program initiatives. It has been a model collaborative at Community Partnership since 1999. Representatives have presented at national and state conferences on its successes and have provided trainings and consultations to many. The mission of the UDTF - "Working to prevent underage drinking and its consequences through public education, youth leadership, public policy and environmental strategy initiatives, and resource development and collaboration" - guides its efforts. Coalition efforts are concentrated in Greene County, Missouri.

Strategies have included:

  • Compliance checks of retailers
  • Provided educational support as requested by legislative bodies for keg registration, MIP by consumption, and other underage drinking prevention initiatives
  • Provided technical assistance in developing graduated sanctions for adults found providing alcohol to minors in conjunction with law enforcement
  • Developed printed prevention materials for distribution throughout the county
  • Educated the public—especially parents—about the consequences (legal, psychological, and physiological) of providing alcohol to minors
  • Mailed letters bi-annually to middle school and high school parents regarding underage drinking prevention
  • Worked with local retailers to provide employee trainings to reduce sales to minors
  • Developed television and radio Public Awareness Announcements
  • Conducted comprehensive education and prevention media campaigns, utilizing print, radio, and television media
  • Partnered to promote the Safe and Sober Prom Night program at local high schools

In 2006, UDTF was awarded one of 16 Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grants in Missouri. Successes achieved during the grant include:

  • Posters advertising the consequences of using Fake IDs were developed and distributed on college campuses and in the Downtown Springfield area
  • The "Pathways to Selling Alcohol Safely" kit was revised, and promotion of this valuable tool began
  • The number of underage offenders with prior drug or alcohol offenses decreased from 25% in 2006 to 17% in 2007
  • The total number of persons in Greene County under age 21 cited for MIP of alcohol, or using a fake or false ID, decreased from 1,051 in 2006 to 609 in 2007*

* Each year, varying amounts of resources are available to conduct proactive enforcement. Fewer resources in 2007 may have contributed to this steep decline.

UDTF Subcommittees:

Higher Education Committee

The Higher Education Committee was formed in 2003 with the intent of bringing local colleges and universities together to collaborate on underage and binge drinking prevention. The belief that everyone will benefit from shared knowledge and resources has proven true, and committee projects have become an integral part of campus prevention efforts.

The Mission of the Higher Education Committee is: "To reduce the incidence and prevent underage drinking among the college/university population."

Member Institutions Include:

In addition to resource sharing and increased communication between campuses, members of the Higher Education Committee have spear-headed the following projects:

  • Coordination of a campus-wide poster competition around social norming
  • Creation, publication, and distribution of the "Alcohol and College: A Guide for Parents"
  • Presentations to high school parents and college students regarding underage drinking prevention
  • Coordination of the CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey of local students
  • Trained college students to work with youth groups on Building Blocks/Developmental Asset activities
  • Distribution of print resources, including alcohol poisoning cards, "Why 21?" fliers, posters, etc.
  • Coordination of presentations by John Underwood targeting athletes and coaches on alcohol prevention and leadership development
  • Creation of posters warning minors against using fake IDs, educating students about Minor in Possession by Consumption, alcohol poisoning incidences, etc.
  • Creation of "What's Your Degree Worth" Postcards
  • Coordination of the Missouri College Health Behavior Survey for local students

Check out www.cafeprevention.com to view samples of the above mentioned materials and more!


Middle School/High School (MS/HS) State Incentive Grant Subcommittee

The MS/HS State Incentive Grant Subcommittee was formed in 2006 to support the assessment, strategy development, and implementation of the State Incentive Grant for underage drinking prevention among students 12-18 in Greene County.

Middle schools and high schools throughout Greene County were invited to participate. To date, representatives include:

  • Ash Grove
  • Logan-Rogersville
  • Republic
  • Springfield (both public and Catholic)
  • Willard

This committee meets monthly to exchange information, develop and implement strategies, and provide general networking opportunities.


Retailer Subcommittee

The Retailer Committee was formed in 2005 with the intent of bringing local alcohol retailers together to collaborate and develop strategies to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors and increase awareness of the harms/risks of underage drinking within the community as needed. Many area retailers are actively involved in this committee.

Recent projects include:

  • Increased retailer trainings for employees
  • New incentives for employees who successfully pass compliance checks
  • Motivating retailers to become active in the newly formed Underage Drinking Prevention Coalition in Taney County