Impact of Social Host Policy and Law Enforcement Efforts on the Social Acquisition of Alcohol among Underage Drinkers

Introduction: This study examines social acquisition of alcohol by adolescents, ages 14-20, and explores community characteristics that can influence adolescent alcohol acquisition. We hypothesize that adolescents are less likely to obtain alcohol from social sources if 1) their community has a social host policy and 2) local law enforcement conducts social availability enforcement operations such as party patrols. Additionally, increased commercial enforcement efforts, such as compliance checks, are likely to increase social acquisition.

Methods: Data from the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Randomized Community Trial were analyzed. In 2007, 5,639 youth in 68 communities across 5 states completed a telephone survey. Alcohol use, alcohol availability and other health risk behaviors were measured.

Results: Over half of the sample (57%) reported consuming alcohol. Among ever-drinkers, 84% received alcohol from a social source, including friends, co-workers and parents, on their last drinking occasion. Older respondents were less likely to obtain alcohol from a social source (OR:0.794;CI:0.74-0.85;p<0.0001), while females were more likely to obtain alcohol from a social source (OR:1.432;CI:1.18-1.74;p=0.00027). Respondents from communities with a social host law were less likely to obtain alcohol from a social source (OR:0.77;CI:0.63-0.95;p=0.01318). Law enforcement efforts, whether focused on commercial or social sources, did not significantly impact the social acquisition of alcohol.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that public policy can deter social acquisition of alcohol for underage drinkers. Law enforcement efforts did not impact acquisition from a social source. Future efforts should consider if social host policies decrease overall use or simply shift the acquisition to commercial sources.