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Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol "CMCA"

Together For Jackson County Kids began a new program this year called Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA).  Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol is a SAMHSA model program that utilizes community-organizing strategies to reduce youth access to alcohol by changing community policies and practices. Initiated in 1991, CMCA has proven that effectively limiting the access to alcohol of people under the legal drinking age not only directly reduces teen drinking, but also communicates a clear message to the community that underage drinking is inappropriate and unacceptable. CMCA employs a range of organizing techniques to address legal, institutional, social, and health issues in order to reduce youth alcohol use by eliminating illegal alcohol sales to youth by retailers and obstructing the provision of alcohol to youth by adults.

BENEFITS

• Mobilizes communities to make institutional and policy changes
• Has proven results in limiting youth access to alcohol
• Improves the health and well-being of the community
• Builds an evidence base for practice and implementation by changing the physical and social environments will have lasting and sustainable change
• Increases responsible outlet/merchant practices
• Engages multiple stakeholders who then become knowledgeable and involved in creating healthier communities by decreasing access and pro-consumption environments

PROVEN RESULTS

• Alcohol merchants increased age identification checking and reduced propensity to sell to minors
• Significant decline in arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol among 18– to 20–year olds
• Youths 18 to 20 years old reduced the practice of providing alcohol to younger teenagers
• Youths 18 to 20 years old were less likely to try to buy alcohol, drink in a bar, or consume alcohol

CURRENT PROJECTS TFJCK IS INCORPORATING INTO THE CMCA PROGRAM

(Parents Who Host, Lose The Most, is an original program of the Drug-Free Action Alliance)

Town Hall Meetings on underage drinking

Keg Registration

PLUNGE

"Hey You!" stickers on alcohol (Sticker Shock!)

One-on-One surveys in community to obtain opinions on alcohol

Provides volunteers and funding for alcohol compliance checks, with "Letters of Appreciation" to retailers who are in compliance

Poster Day

For more information on the CMCA program, please contact Suzanne Goldsmith at suziegoldsmith@hotmail.com or 715-284-9118