Environmental Prevention
The city of Fontana is an amazing place to live. Over the last several years, the city has won numerous awards including being listed among the top communities for families to live and raise a family in the nation. With a diverse, culturally rich heritage and a local government committed to providing the resources and support to residents, it is not hard to see why Fontana is one of America’s most desirable places to live.
However, over the last several years, Fontana has seen social access to alcohol skyrocket. Between 2007 and 2008, police calls for service for house parties were over 3,000. Underage access to alcohol at these house parties was estimated at 50% of the calls. Furthermore, according to the California Healthy Kids Survey, binge drinking has increased in all grade levels since 2003/2005 with 7th grade rates increasing 200%, 9th grade increasing 63%, and 11th grade increasing 27%. In addition, the majority of youth reported having their first drink of alcohol before the age of 14, with 31% of 7th graders reporting they were 12 years old or younger.
With limited governmental resources and an increasingly high access to alcohol for underage youth, what options are out there for the city? This is where Reach Out comes in.
Reach Out brought community members and organizations together and formed the Fontana Community Coalition (FCC). The FCC coordinated strategies using media, policies, ordinances, community organization, and capacity building in an effort to make long-lasting changes that reduce underage drinking. The FCC drafted and had a Social Host Ordinance pass that holds individuals accountable for providing a place where underage drinking occurs.
Youth are involved in the FCC as well. The FCC has partnered with several youth organizations including the Fontana Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Fontana High School, the Peer Leadership Group, and the Youth 2 Youth Conference. At Fontana High School, youth are currently writing and producing video PSA’s that educate their peers throughout the city on the harmful effects of alcohol, drinking and driving, and on underage drinking at house parties.
Reach Out is committed to empowering communities to identify local problems and develop sustainable, policy-driven solutions. Through Reach Out’s leadership, collaboration, and coordination, the FCC is building accountability to reduce social access to alcohol and reduce underage alcohol consumption by changing the community’s belief to a healthier, safer view that underage drinking is not a rite of passage.
