Madison County Council on  Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.
 
 

Newsletter Reprint

      




"Environmental Prevention"

Reprinted from Winter 2003


The problematic use of alcohol kills more than 100,000 people in the United States every year. This ranks as the third leading cause of death after tobacco and diet-related causes. There are more than 430,000 deaths in the U.S. among adult tobacco users due to heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic lung disease. Prevention strategies to address these problems range from traditional educational models targeted to youth and adults to environmental strategies targeted to changing community laws, norms and regulations.

Environmental prevention strategies are an integral part of a comprehensive approach to the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems. While it is vital to work with individuals and families, it is equally important to address the social and environmental conditions that influence choices and behavior.

Environmental factors include the policies, laws, regulations and norms that govern the school, workplace and community. They can include: reducing the availability of the substance; restricting marketing and promotion; increasing the enforcement of existing policies; providing alternative activities; and creating and promoting a healthy normative environment. Environmental strategies enhance individual strategies by creating and reinforcing the conditions that promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles.


There have been some very important laws, agreements, and regulations adopted in 2003 that address the environmental factors listed above.

  • Over the counter (OTC) Ephedra was banned in New York State
  • The keg registration law was passed in New York State
  • Driving While Intoxicated was reduced from .10 to .08 in New York State
  • Tobacco companies Phillip Morris USA, RJ Reynolds Tobacco, Brown & Williamson and US Smokeless Tobacco agreed to pull ads in versions of Time, Newsweek and US News & World Report that are sent to schools for educational purposes
  • The 1989 Clean Indoor Air Act was expanded in New York State to include a ban on smoking in the workplace

These laws and actions will result in changes in behavior; they already have. So, while none of these was a program designed for an individual, the effects on individuals, workplaces, schools and communities are great. Each represents a tremendous amount of hard work, years of negotiation, and tireless advocacy by concerned citizens.
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