Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute provides fiscal, administrative and management support to three coalitions aimed to reduce underage drinking and drug use: Hawaiʻi Alcohol Policy Alliance, East Hawaiʻi Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, and Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth.
Hawaiʻi Alcohol Policy Alliance
The Alliance is a statewide movement to reduce underage drinking and adult alcohol misuse by advocating for state-level, public health focused alcohol policies. Launched in spring 2020, the Alliance is made up of members from government, academia, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and advocates committed to reducing alcohol-related harms in the community. During the last legislative session, the Alliance educated lawmakers on the importance of increasing the alcohol tax and reducing the blood alcohol concentration of intoxicated drivers to 0.05%.
East Hawaiʻi Drug-Free Coalition
The East Hawaiʻi Drug-Free Coalition works to prevent and reduce substance misuse impacting keiki to kūpuna with a focus on eliminating underage drinking. Launched in spring 2020, the Coalition has recently conducted a community-wide assessment and planning process to begin implementing prevention strategies, organized sign-waving events to raise awareness on the impacts of underage drinking, and works to change the social norms around underage drinking.
Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth
Formed in 2013, the Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth is a local community coalition of partner organizations and individuals committed to reducing underage alcohol use and youth substance use in Maui County. The Coalition envisions a unified and thriving community where people are living resilient, healthy, and drug-free lives. The Coalition led the effort to pass a local social host ordinance for Maui which holds adults and parents responsible for underage drinking in their homes. Regular coalition meetings are held; all are welcome. Their goal is to use data-driven strategies for the development of a community in which young people can thrive and progress in society without the detrimental effects of substance use.
