Challenges:  Stats and Resources

In recent years, there has been an increase in underage alcohol use.
  • Binge drinking and lifetime use of alcohol have both increased.
  • Nearly half of all school incidences are alcohol related.
  • Alcohol possession infractions have resulted in an increased expulsion rate.

OUR STRATEGY

The Sheriff’s office completes seasonal compliance checks to decrease the occurrence of underage sales to minors.

The coalition supports local a local youth-driven and community supported program which provides incentives for youth who pledge to refrain from the use of alcohol.

The Sheriff’s office completes seasonal compliance checks to decrease the occurrence of underage sales to minors.

The coalition supports national initiatives which support the prevention of underage drinking.

The Sheriff’s office completes seasonal compliance checks to decrease the occurrence of underage sales to minors.

The coalition supports local a local youth-driven and community supported program which provides incentives for youth who pledge to refrain from the use of alcohol.

The coalition supports national initiatives which support the prevention of underage drinking.

ACTION PLAN COMPONENTS:

Alcohol Environmental Scan

The purpose of the Alcohol Environmental Scan project is to capture alcohol exposure within the State of Florida through marketing signs/billboards, retail stores, convenience stores, bars/clubs, special events and any other location that promotes and/or sells alcoholic beverages.  From this information, the State of Florida is able to learn more about the attitude and environment surrounding alcohol.  This information is used to generate a State report, as well as provide county-level data.

The Alcohol Environmental Scan is a tool developed to capture:

  1. Advertising of alcohol
  2. Accessories sold that encourage alcohol consumption
  3. Atmosphere that promotes alcohol consumption
  4. Availability of warning signs surrounding alcohol and consumption
  5. Placement of alcoholic beverages at a location
  6. Steps taken to identify those underage
  7. Promotions done that encourage alcohol consumption
  • Over 2300 registrants in the Drug Free Youth (D-Fy) program.
  • The expansion of D-Fy to include all cities in Sarasota County (Sarasota, Venice, and North Port).
  • The celebration of youth who commit to abstain from illegal substances in at least one annual event.
  • Second annual town hall meeting.
  • Promotion of a unified message to the public on alcohol prevention.
  • Education to the public.
  • Collaboration with all law enforcement agencies, state funded prevention providers, and substance abuse coalitions within the county.

COMPLIANCE CHECKS:

In 1981, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office developed the Youth Services Section (YSS), which has grown to more than 20 School Resource Deputies and supervisors serving over 40,000 Sarasota County students.

The priority of the YSS is to provide a safe environment for students and teachers.  Because of the trust that has developed between students, parents, faculty and School Resource Deputies, the YSS has expanded the number of programs offered to include:

  • Juvenile Alcohol Task Force
  • Juvenile Law Enforcement Academy
  • K9 for Kids Program
  • NOPE Task Force

The YSS also provides educational classes such as:

  • Abduction Prevention
  • Bicycle Safety
  • Bullying
  • Child Lures
  • Crime to Courts
  • DARE Program
  • Illicit Drug Education focusing on marijuana, club drugs, inhalants and alcohol
  • I-Safe Internet Safety
  • Seatbelt Safety
  • Using 911

One of the programs, the Juvenile Alcohol Task Force is instrumental in Sarasota County in conducting undercover compliance checks to determine which retailers sell alcohol to underage minors.

The Alcohol Environmental Scan is a tool developed to capture:

  1. Advertising of alcohol
  2. Accessories sold that encourage alcohol consumption
  3. Atmosphere that promotes alcohol consumption
  4. Availability of warning signs surrounding alcohol and consumption
  5. Placement of alcoholic beverages at a location
  6. Steps taken to identify those underage
  7. Promotions done that encourage alcohol consumption

DRUG FREE YOUTH (D-FY)

  • Over 2300 registrants in the Drug Free Youth (D-Fy) program.
  • The expansion of D-Fy to include all cities in Sarasota County (Sarasota, Venice, and North Port).
  • The celebration of youth who commit to abstain from illegal substances in at least one annual event.
  • Second annual town hall meeting.
  • Promotion of a unified message to the public on alcohol prevention.
  • Education to the public.
  • Collaboration with all law enforcement agencies, state funded prevention providers, and substance abuse coalitions within the county.