Determine feasible and acceptable age twenty-one support programs

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15253531990PDFResearch PaperHarding, Wayne M.Apsler, RobertWalsh, W. A.Gemini Industries, Inc.United States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited StatesAdolescentsAlcohol useSafety programsDrunk drivingDOT-HS-807-667NTIS-PB91161034DTNH22-89-C-07339Final reportThe objective of this project was to identify programs which are feasible, acceptable, and effective in deterring adolescent drinking. To begin the project, information was collected on 22 prevention programs using a wide range of approaches. Next, a panel of 8 experts in highway safety and related fields appraised 18 generic approaches for prevention of underaged drinking (descriptions were based on the review of existing programs). A smaller set of 11 approaches was also assessed by 52 youth ages 11 through 20 who met in six focus groups. Perhaps the most important finding was that, to a great extent, the experts and the youth agreed on which programs would be most effective. Included were (1) programs which punish youth who drink by suspending their driver's license or postponing the age at which they become eligible to receive a license, and (2) improvements in the design and distribution of driver licenses in order to reduce the use of fraudulent identification to obtain alcohol. The results of this project underscore the need for reliable evaluation data on prevention programs. Future research might focus on those programs that the experts and youth agree have the greatest potential for reducing underaged drinking. /Abstract from report summary page/129