Our Solution: Environmental Prevention

Environmental prevention is an essential part of a comprehensive approach to the prevention of alcohol problems, and a proven strategy for helping youth and adults make healthy choices. To achieve this outcome, we promote responsible actions by government, communities and the alcohol industry.

Preventing alcohol problems through environmental change begins by looking at factors in the community that shape alcohol-related problems and influence individual decisions about drinking. Some examples:

Influence on Drinking Choices
Community Factors		Sample Prevention Policies
Hospitals, schools and churches highlight alcohol in promotions for events and fundraisers (e.g. wine tasting and beer fests)		Adopt an institutional policy to feature food and entertainment rather than alcohol in event promotions
Community customs encourage alcohol use at celebrations		Public venues require responsible beverage service (RBS)
Promotions for alcohol appear on bus shelters and benches		Transit Authority eliminates alcohol ads from public transit
Unlimited beer sales at professional sporting events		Sport stadiums limit quantity served cutting off beer sales at least an hour before games end

In addition, although our work is based on environmental prevention, we recognize the importance of integrating treatment and individual prevention into an effective, comprehensive effort to reduce alcohol problems.