PORT ANGELES — Ninety percent of Port Angeles parents said they don’t provide alcohol to minors, a survey by mail found.
The Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition has splashed the message on a billboard that was unveiled Dec. 19 on the south side of U.S. Highway 101 near the Paint and Carpet Barn just east of Port Angeles, where it will remain for the next five months.
The youth coalition conducted the mail-home survey in 2010.
Nine out of 10 parents responded: “We don’t provide alcohol to minors.”
The billboard is part of a social-norms campaign designed to correct misconceptions about drug and alcohol use.
Dale Holiday, Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition coordinator and Clallam County grant coordinator, said social-norm campaigns have been shown to decrease substance abuse in youths.
The coalition’s strategic plan includes goals to reduce youth abuse of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs.
Recently, it facilitated focus groups with local youths to learn their attitudes about alcohol and marijuana.
The coalition has conducted compliance checks of the size and number of outdoor signs advertising alcoholic beverages, Holiday said.
It works to build community support for reducing and preventing youth substance abuse through education and outreach, resource sharing and facilitating partnerships.
“The coalition has a full agenda of projects and educational opportunities available to the public in the upcoming year,” Holiday said.
All community members are welcome to join the Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition.
For more information, phone Holiday at 360-417-2436 or visit www.pahealthyyouth.org.
