Healthy Communities of the Capital Area

Reducing Access To Alcohol and Other Drugs

When alcohol and other drugs are easy to get,
youth are more likely to use them

Alcohol and drugs are and always will be available in our society. However, the easier it is to get alcohol and other drugs for illegal use, the bigger the problem

Good News:

A) Alcohol and tobacco retailers are working hard to avoid sales to minors and to those who furnish alcohol to minors.*
B) There are many ways to safely dispose of prescription drugs: through a mail-back program, the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office pick-up service, and periodic take-back events

Cause for Action!!

C) There are many ways for youth to get alcohol: from the family supply, from older friends and relatives, and sometimes from adults who will buy for them.**
D) Most youth say alcohol and other drugs are easy to get.***
E) Unused and expired prescription drugs are also very easy to get, and misuse and abuse is on the rise.****

* Results of compliance checks conducted by the Maine Sheriff’s Association in southern Kennebec County.
** Local police reports/focus groups
*** Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey '09
**** Student Opinion Leader interviews '09

Current Actions By The Coalition

Reducing Access: Working With Law Enforcement; Schools and Communties; Retailers; Parents
Increeasing Awareness of the Risks of Use: Working With Youth; Schools and Communities; Parents
Increasing Consequences, Awareness of Consequences: Law Enforcement; Schools and Communties; Parents
Increasing Skills to Make Healthy Choices: Youth
Increasing Community Assets: Under development

Our local service area includes: Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Richmond, Vienna, Wayne, West Gardiner, Windsor, Winthrop.