en·vi·ron·men·tal (n-vrn-mntl, -vrn) adj.
1. Of, relating to, or associated with the environment.
2. Relating to or being
concerned with the ecological impact of altering the environment.
3. Medicine. Of or relating to potentially harmful factors
originating in the environment: environmental illness.
pre·ven·tion (pr-vnshn) n.
1. The act of
preventing or impeding.
2. A hindrance; an obstacle.
None of that may make sense, but basically what we do is this: instead of Blaming the individual, i.e. programs like DARE and the "Just Say No" campaign, we look at their environment and what aspects of it might incourage them to drink. This includes things like how many billboards and/or liquor stores they pass on the way to work/school. Or, where is the alcohol placed and how much does it cost? Youth are more likely to drink if the malt liquor is placed right next to the sodas and costs 50¢ less than a bottle of soda. Our goal is to change the things in the youth's environment, like these things, so that it wont be imbedded in their minds to drink from the age of 3.