Alcohol Use

Why do we address alcohol use?

Alcohol affects how people make decisions—and for young people, that can lead to risky choices with serious consequences. Studies show that teens who start drinking before age 15 are 43% more likely to develop alcohol problems later in life.

It’s also important to remember that the brain keeps developing until around age 24. Drinking during these formative years can interfere with how the brain builds skills like planning, organizing, and managing impulses.

Every two years, all six school districts in Green County take part in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). This survey helps the community understand what local teens are dealing with and how prevention efforts are working.

From the latest YRBS report, 22% of high school students said they had consumed alcohol in the past month. Female students were slightly more likely than males to report drinking.

Although alcohol is a big part of Wisconsin’s culture, underage drinking is still a serious issue in the state — and in Green County. In fact, youth made up 27% of OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) arrests in 2018 and 23% in 2019, according to the Green County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2019, 7% of Brodhead High School students reported driving after drinking in the past 30 days—higher than the state average of 5.5%.

During the 2019–2020 school year, 51% of out-of-school suspensions in Green County were related to drugs or alcohol. The same year, 17% of high school students said they had gone to school under the influence—compared to 12.2% statewide.

And zooming out to the big picture: between 2013 and 2022, fatal crashes involving alcohol-impaired young drivers went up by 49% in Wisconsin. Even small amounts of alcohol can greatly increase the risk of a crash for teens.

Risk & Protective Factors

Protective Factors for Youth Substance Use:

Parental Engagement: Active involvement and support from parents can reduce the risk of alcohol or marijuana use, including clear communication about the risks.
Family Support: A strong, supportive family environment can act as a buffer against substance use.
Parental Disapproval: Clear disapproval of alcohol or marijuana use by parents can deter youth from substance use.
School Connectedness: Feeling connected and supported at school can reduce the likelihood of substance use.
Positive Self-Image: A positive self-image and self-control can help youth resist peer pressure to use alcohol.
Community Programs: Access to community programs and resources that promote healthy behaviors can be protective.
Positive Role Models: Having mentors and role models who promote healthy behaviors can reduce the likelihood of substance use.

Our Strategies

Green County Prevention Partnership implements the Seven Strategies for Change to address substance use issues to youth, parents, professionals, and other relevant audiences. Here’s a sample of our ongoing work:

Provide Information:
Billboard and radio ads, press releases, social media posts, flyers, information booths at events, community supper, podcast, animated educational videos
Enhancing Skills:
Reality Maze for 8th grade, Safe Driving event, Hidden in Plain Sight interactive presentation for parents, Health Rocks for 6th grade
Provide Support:
Substance-free youth activities such as Post Prom, movie nights, pop up youth clubs
Enhance Access, Reduce Barriers, and Improve Connections:
Wellness Fair, virtual options for coalition meetings, childcare provided at meetings, translate materials into Spanish
Change Consequences:
Work with law enforcement to implement alcohol age compliance checks, recognition for retailers that pass the compliance check
Change Physical Design:
Bottle lock displays at retailers
Educate and Inform About Modifying/Changing Policies:
Establish social and emotional skills program for 6-8th Grade, presentation to Public Safety Committee on Sugar River Environmental Scan findings

Resources

Alcohol Use Video Resources

Alcohol