Eddy County DWI Program
Cindy Sharif
Eddy County DWI Building 401 S. Main St. Carlsbad, NM 88220 Phone: 575-885-3328 Fax: 575-885-4190
The Eddy County DWI Program presents a new program called Alcohol Literacy Challenge.
The goal of this program is to make youth aware of how advertisers target them in alcohol commercials. The program takes 45 minutes to present and there is a challenge game after if time permits. This program also contains a parent portion. Any group wishing to have a presentation can contact the DWI office at 575-234-9963 or Debbie at 575-302-3017. The program is free.
The following Alcohol Prevention FAQ information is courtesy of :
Peter D & Company, Inc. 2079 Camino Lado, Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: 505-471-8437 Fax: 505-471-8859 Email: peterd@medialiteracy.net www.medialiteracy.netAlcohol Prevention FAQ
What is media literacy?
Media images, especially ads, are more than just pretty pictures. They're usually designed with sales or power motives behind them. A literate person knows that words on a page follow rules of syntax to create meaning. Media literacy teaches the syntax and intending meanings of electronic media. It identifies who created the media, their motives and the media's intended effects.
Does alcohol advertising really have much effect on children?
Hundreds of scientific studies demonstrate that alcohol advertising has a significant effect on underage drinking. Children who like alcohol advertising drink more. Also, the more alcohol advertising there is in a market, the more teens living there will drink. Of course alcohol companies know this, which is why such a large percentage of their advertising is so appealing to kids and why ads are strategically placed so that proportionally, kids see more alcohol ads than adults.
Why is media literacy important to preventing underage drinking?
Children with media literacy skills are more resistant to the social pressures to drink. In a study by Epstein & Botvin (Journal of Addictive Behavior 2007), teens with media resistance skills are reported to consume less alcohol than their peers without these skills.
What proof is there that your media literacy program is effective?
Middle school test results show that alcohol consuming 8th graders, who participated in Dr. DeBenedittis' Alcohol Literacy Challenge, reduced their drinking from an average of 4.39 drinks during the prior month to 0.17 drinks during the month after. At the same time, the control group went from an average of 4.66 drinks to 7.00.
Can parents really control or reduce the alcohol advertising their kids are exposed to?
Sadly, no. In fact, our government gives tax breaks to alcohol companies for the ads they produce targeting children. This is why media literacy education is so critical. Parents concerned about their children drinking need to inoculate them against alcohol marketing. The Alcohol Literacy Challenge is the most effective way to do this. It teaches children to recognize the expectations they have around drinking, how these are created and how they can be changed.
Coming Soon: Guiding Good Choices
Guiding Good Choices is a science based, proven program that gives parents the skills they need to help their children have a solid future. Not only does the program reduce alcohol and other drug use, it also helps parents avoid other behavior problems in their children. The program will teach ways to improve family communications and family bonding. It also helps parents learn how to reduce risk factors for substance abuse, develop healthy beliefs and clear standards, gain refusal skills, manage family conflict, and strengthen family bonds. This is not a come, sit and listen type of program as videos, slides and interactive activities make the program lively for the participants. For more information or to arrange to sponsor this workshop, please contact the DWI office at 575-234-9963 or Debbie at 575-302-3017. The program is free.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a presentation, you can call the DWI office at 575-234-9963 or email Ms. Sharif.