From Prevention Action Alliance
By Fran Gerbig
A recently published JAMA article, which reports an increase in alcohol-related harms and their association with increased consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a real-time illustration of the importance of environmental prevention strategies and underscores the importance of prevention advocacy efforts to ensure that these strategies are maintained.
The article observed that during the pandemic lockdowns, virtually every state —including Ohio—considered alcohol retailers “essential businesses” that remained open while bars and restaurants closed. The article noted that keeping alcohol retailers open during lockdowns unintentionally sent the message that alcohol is essential for life, encouraging consumption. A Harris poll found that 23% of adults reported drinking more during the pandemic. (The number jumped to 52% of those with children aged 5 to 7 years at home.) The changes to the policies that regulate and monitor alcohol purchases and the ensuing outcomes provides a teachable moment for us all. By increasing alcohol access, creating new opportunities for purchase and consumption, lawmakers unknowingly weakened proven prevention strategies that protect communities and individuals.
Environmental Strategies Reduce Risk
Prevention science tells us that if communities can change the context (the environment) in which substance use and abuse occurs, then the impact is far reaching and reduces collective risk. Implementing environmental prevention strategies can produce quick wins, instilling commitment toward long-term practice and policy changes within a community by influencing community conditions, standards, institutions, structures, systems and policies. By potentially reaching entire populations and reducing collective risk, these strategies influence community norms and systems producing widespread behavior change and, in turn, reducing problems for entire communities.
Examples of environmental strategies are policies that serve to regulate substances and protect subsets of the population who are at greatest risk. Age restrictions for purchase and consumption, specific purchasing guidelines, safe consumption recommendations, fines for violations and seller server training are all examples of environmental strategies. There is ample evidence that well-crafted, implemented and enforced polices—local, state and national—can reduce population-based alcohol, tobacco and drug misuse.
Is Legalization on the Horizon?
This month saw announcements by both national and state lawmakers introducing legislation that would legalize marijuana. Recognizing the importance of maintaining established environmental strategies that protect youth and the greater population, Prevention Action Alliance remains concerned about the possible legalization, the impact on access and availability, the lack of understanding regarding risk of use and the predictable outcomes that would follow should the legalization of marijuana come to pass.
We acknowledge the attempt by the state to place protective parameters around the use of marijuana as medicine through the establishment of the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. The establishment of rigorous rules for the who, what, when and how of recommending and using marijuana are an example of environmental strategies placed to protect individuals and communities.
Prevention science demonstrates that increased access to marijuana through legalization will increase use. It is imperative that environmental prevention standards be considered to protect developing brains and that any new legislation include robust and comprehensive environmental strategies to protect those at risk.
Photo: Verywell Family