Chemical Dependency: Alcoholism
Center for Continuing Dental Education
Chemical Dependency: Alcoholism
Center for Continuing Dental Education
Warning Labels
The mandated warning label on containers of alcoholic beverages aims to inform and remind drinkers that alcohol consumption can result in birth defects, impaired ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and health problems.
Research indicates that public support for warning labels is extremely high but that the label has not had important effects on hazardous behavior. One study of pregnant women found that after the label appeared, alcohol consumption declined among lighter drinkers but not among those who drank more heavily.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
DARE, typically taught to 10- and 11-year-old students in grades five and six by police officers, aims to inform about alcohol and other drugs and to teach social and decisionmaking skills to help students resist their use. Studies have found that DARE essentially has no impact on alcohol use.
Informational Programs
Programs attempting to persuade students not to use alcohol by arousing fear do not work to change behavior. Emphasizing the dangers of alcohol may attract those who tend to be risk-takers. Programs providing information about the pharmacological effects of alcohol may arouse curiosity and lead to drinking.
Server Training
Server training, mandatory in some states, educates alcohol servers to alter their serving practices, particularly with underage customers and those who show obvious signs of intoxication. Server training explains the effects of alcohol, applicable laws, how to refuse service to obviously intoxicated patrons, and how to assist customers in obtaining transportation as an alternative to driving. Some, but not all, studies report more interventions with customers after server training than before. One evaluation of the effects of Oregon's mandatory server-training policy indicates that it had a statistically significant effect on reducing the incidence of single-vehicle nighttime traffic crashes in that state.
The good news is that, using contemporary tools of science, prevention can be rigorously studied. Currently, research evidence shows that some prevention efforts are effective and others have little or no effect. This knowledge will help local communities, the states, and others who have made significant investments in prevention activities develop or refine existing programs to achieve their desired objectives.
