'How To' Guide to Coalition Building

1996PDFMemorandumCoalitionsAdolescentsDrunk drivingAlcohol useUnited StatesUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-Public Participation and OutreachUS Transportation CollectionUnderage drinking is a community problem that demands a solution. When most of us think of the word \u201cenable,\u201d we relate it to an individual \u201cenabling\u201d another to engage in harmful or potentially destructive behavior. Communities enable as well when they tolerate underage drinking, despite the fact that it is against the law. Individuals and organizations need to confront the seriousness of this problem. It is an illegal, potentially dangerous act. We must not regard underage drinking as merely a \u201cright of passage\u201d or a \u201cphase.\u201d Individuals and organizations need to confront the severity of the problem. This means debunking myths about alcohol use by youth. Why should someone who is not directly involved with your organization become concerned about underage drinking? Why should they worry if, after all, \u201cit\u2019s only beer?\u201d Community leaders must be prepared to answer these questions when assembling a coalition that will enlist support from parents, educators, and other community leaders.88