During the 2022-2023 school year, youth members of the Orange County Youth Council (OCYC) tackled underage drinking by meeting with liquor store managers to reduce youth access to alcohol and promoting positive health choices though social media.
In partnership with the Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership and Waymakers, a community organization focused on building safer communities, OCYC youth leaders met with store owners and managers to discuss best practices to reduce sales of alcohol to minors. During store visits in January 2023, OCYC members were able to conduct their project at four stores. The store visits started with an instore survey where the youth leaders assessed the placement of alcohol, window coverage, and alcohol advertisements. Next, they presented an overview to the store manager of best practices to reduce sales to minors. Following the presentation, all managers agreed to sign a pledge for their commitment to implement these practices. To cap off the visit, the students placed stickers on alcohol packs to remind customers that providing alcohol to minors is illegal. To complete the project, OCYC members created a video to highlight the project and thank the liquor store managers.
OCYC members also conducted a year-long social media campaign to promote and support positive health behaviors by their peers. There is a common error in thinking that most young people drink alcohol. Youth in OCYC chose to counter this myth, promote positive choices by highlighting healthy habits, and encourage their peers to remain alcohol-free.
According to the California Healthy Kids Survey, a school health and safety survey, alcohol use by youth has been on the decline since 2008 when 32% of Orange County youth in 11th grade reported drinking in the past 30-days. The most recent data from the 2019-2021 survey shows the rate of use is now at 11%. Young people in the OCYC are on a mission to ensure that underage drinking rates continue to decline.
This project is made possible by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the OC Health Care Agency, Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team.
For more information, please contact Elke Petras, Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education, at (714) 966-4458 or epetras@ocde.us.
