Law Enforcement Plays Vital Role in Reducing Underage Drinking in Scott County 

The law enforcement, judicial system, and community as a whole play such an important role in reducing underage drinking. �Scott County Health and Education Coalition (SCHEC) received the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) in 2007 because of the high rate of underage drinking use in the county. Since receiving the grant, SCHEC has assessed the problem in the county and planned and implemented interventions to reduce underage drinking.

One of the findings of the assessment during the spring of 2008, was lack of support for law enforcement to enforce underage drinking. The 2007 APNA (Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment) data backed that with 60.6% of 10th graders and 49.3% of 12th graders reporting that the Laws and Norms in Scott County favored alcohol and drug use.

Since the implementation of a mass media campaign, evidenced based programs in the school and building support for the law enforcement, the numbers are dropping. In 2008, 45.8% of 10th graders and 48.8% of 12th graders reported Laws and Norms in Scott County Favored alcohol and drug use. The state averages in 2008 were 40.1% in 10th grade and 33.8% in 12th grade.

The coalition has began building support by collaborating, providing funds for trainings, and supporting the law enforcements efforts. Recently, SCHEC provided breakfast for the officers every morning during the week of March 16-20 at the Waldron Schools Central Office.

The officers were also recognized at a luncheon during that week. SCHEC also provided snacks and information for middle and high school students at a presentation by State Trooper Shane Meyer and Scott County Deputy Jason Parsons on Wednesday, April 1. Meyers was able to share with the students the consequences of drinking and driving underage.

In April the Waldron Police chief, David Millard and School resource Officer, Gary Clepper, along with Scott county Health and Education Coalition (SCHEC) coordinator, Melissa Gasaway attended the 2nd annual state underage drinking prevention conference. 

The conference was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Springdale, AR.  the Fayetteville police, Springdale police, and the Department of Finance were the hosts of the event.

Some of the sessions that were attended included social host laws, project graduation, DFA grant writing, building relationships between alcoholic beverage control and law enforcement, and current trends in drug use.  The purpose of the conference was to educate and train law enforcement and other interested community members about underage drinking prevention.

The training was paid for by the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPFSIG) funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) through the Department of Human Services (DHS).

SCHEC also provided snacks and information for middle and high school students at a presentation by State Trooper Shane Meyer and Scott County Deputy Jason Parsons on Wednesday, April 1. Meyers was able to share with the students the consequences of drinking and driving underage.