JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Central Valley Health has set out to find the perception of underage alcohol consumption for the community of Jamestown. They’re doing this after receiving a grant earlier this year for that purpose.
Partnership for Success Grant Coordinator Shannon Kaiser spent her time at the 2017 University of Jamestown Block Party surveying students, faculty, area residents and others to gain an idea on underage alcohol use, access to alcohol, and perception of underage drinking.
“Two groups surveyed include college aged young adults 18-20 years old and adults 21 and over,” Kaiser says in a release. “In all, 419 surveys were completed.”
According to the survey, 55% of 18 to 20 year-old individuals reported not consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. Of those who reported alcohol use, 11% purchased alcohol from a liquor establishment with a fake or borrowed ID, 74% got alcohol from someone buying it for them, and 62% considered the consequences of underage drinking including disapproval from family and friends and the loss of college scholarships.
Of the adults 21 years of age and older, 60% support laws that prohibit adults to provide an environment for youth to drink alcohol underage. They were also asked about the acceptability of underage drinking in Jamestown, rating both the general acceptance in the community and their own personal acceptance.
37% had a personal acceptance of underage drinking and 53% perceived general acceptance of underage drinking in Jamestown.
“We were surprised that over half (55%) of the 18-20 year olds reported NOT consuming alcohol in the past 30 days,” Kaiser pointed out. “I was also surprised that 62% of youth (that reported drinking) feared the consequences of drinking underage. The consequences that were considered are loss of college scholarship, getting arrested and getting a ticket, and disapproval from friends and family member.”
Kaiser says as far as receiving alcohol from an older friend or adult, she wasn’t surprised by their findings there.
“I think it is interesting when comparing the bar graph at the bottom. A way I can explain it is that 53% of those surveyed (21+) perceive the community is acceptable of underage drinking, while only 37% of those surveyed actually reported it as acceptable.”
Kaiser says following this survey, they will integrate their message through media including BEK Communications and Pandora Radio. They are also working with various schools in Stutsman and Logan counties for activities to bring awareness to substance use and prevention.
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more about the grant here.
