Substantial resources have been devoted to information dissemination, educational and persuasion strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm. This paper examines recent research on the impact of educational strategies in: reducing intentions to drink, postponing onset of drinking, reducing amount and frequency of drinking, and curtailing drinking-related harm. We examine measures oriented to the general population - e.g., media-advocacy interventions, warning labels and public service announcements. We also consider interventions directed to grade school, high school and university populations, as well as community-based programs, drinking and driving interventions, and educational interventions in the workplace. These approaches have been shown to have minimal effectiveness as "stand alone" interventions. Our analysis leads to several questions: Why does there continue to be so much emphasis on these interventions, despite the equivocal evidence of their effectiveness? What expectations do proponents associate with these strategies? What are realistic goals and expected impacts from these interventions? What are the circumstances, conditions and protocols associated with positive outcomes? How can educational strategies be combined with other interventions to more realistically achieve these goals? What role do these interventions have within the broader context of alcohol policy agenda? Finally, what are the conditions facilitating a better match between resource allocation and measures with a high potential for reducing drinking-related harm?
Learning Objectives: To provide a review of educational and informational approaches focusing on prevention of alcohol-related harm. To provide a synopsis of limitations and contexts associated with postive impacts. To offer recommendations for combining these interventions with other strategies.
Keywords: Adolescents, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.