CMCA is a community organizing effort, designed to change policies and practices of major community institutions in ways that reduce access to alcohol by adolescents (13-20 years of age), thereby reducing teen drinking and the health and social problems associated with underage drinking. ASAP is utilizing Block Grant funding to implement the CMCA program to reduce underage drinking.
The following six strategies of Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol are designed to impact local environments and are proven to reduce underage drinking:
- Access to alcohol and alcohol sponsorships at public events
- Increasing alcohol taxes to reduce problem drinking and raise money for prevention and treatment
- Social host liability
- Responsible beverage service training
- Happy Hour restrictions
The core strategies that are the focus of CMCA include:
- Changing community norms
- Community mobilization
- Law enforcement