A bold approach to prevention is taking shape in San Luis Obispo County as students from the Coast Union High School Friday Night Live (FNL) chapter launch a new media campaign to reduce underage drinking.
The new campaign speaks directly to peers to spotlight positive choices and community connections to shape healthier social norms and prevent underage alcohol use. Unlike traditional prevention projects, the campaign will be created by youth for youth-elevating the voices and messages that reflect real experiences, concerns, and solutions around underage drinking.
Students will market messages through educational posters, digital graphics, and public services announcements (PSAs). Students will receive training in data collection, public speaking, alcohol prevention strategies, graphic design, and marketing before launching their campaign.
“We noticed a need for positive change on the perception of underage drinking on campus,” said Lily, president of Coast Union’s Friday Night Live program, in a news release. “We want to help with the problem through positive approaches and spread awareness to people about the effects of underage drinking in an informative way. This is a crucial moment in a student’s life, and we want them to know what the decisions they are making can do to their body and mind.”
Alcohol remains the most used substance by adolescents aged 12-17 years with 1.7 million young adults reporting alcohol use in the past month (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2024). Underage alcohol consumption increases poor decision making, interpersonal violence, and the risk of motor vehicle crashes.
The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed 1,392 individuals under the age of 21 died from motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. In addition to the campaign, students will administer their own Community Alcohol Survey to assess perceptions around underage drinking and traffic safety. The survey will further guide prevention strategies locally and throughout the State.
Community members can access the survey online at https://tiny.ucsf.edu/A52Qm2. To support the student’s campaign, follow the SLO County FNL page at @slo.fnl or Coast Union High School FNL’s page @coastfnl. More information about Friday Night Live programs in SLO County can be found online at www.slofnl.com. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
