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Dear Parent,
We are beginning a new school year and the second year of the ISSL Social Norms Project. As many of you know this project is to reduce teen alcohol use and increase student safety. The results from Year One are promising, with the notable exception of the seniors, many schools are seeing modest reductions in alcohol use and drinking and driving. Because the seniors have graduated and the remaining students will have had two full years of exposure to the project, we expect even greater positive impact at the end of this school year.
The role of parents in this project is critical. Our student survey indicates that parents are ranked #1 as a source of believable information about alcohol.
Please rate how believable each of the following sources of information about tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs are to you:
Percent indicating
“Very believable” or “Somewhat believable |
| 1. Your parents |
77% |
| 2. Nurse, doctor or other health professional |
75% |
| 3. The police, DARE, etc. |
71% |
| 4. Your teachers |
64% |
| 5. Your friends |
55% |
| 5. School counselor |
55% |
| 7. Your coach |
54% |
| 8. Church group or minister |
50% |
| (Only responses of 50% or more are listed) |
Additionally, a random sample of ISSL student parents was conducted each of the last two years. A comparison of the parent responses from 2005 compared to 2006 show
1 - Parent’s overestimation of student drinking has declined
| Perceived 30 Day Student Use by ISSL Parents |
| Percent of ISSL Parents Who Perceive Typical Alcohol Use |
2005 |
2006 |
Direction |
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82% |
79% |
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2 - Parent’s use of “true norm” statements about student drinking has increased
| Percentage of ISSL Parents Who Use True Norm Statements |
2005 |
2006 |
Direction |
| “Most high school students do not regularly drink alcohol.” |
23% |
31% |
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| “Almost every student at your school drinks soda, juice, or water rather than alcohol at social events.” |
13% |
15% |
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Congratulations! Please continue talking to your teens about your expectations regarding their alcohol use and the true norms of the students attending their school. Throughout the 2006-2007 school year, posters will again be placed in school and postcards mailed home describing the positive norms that coincide with reduced alcohol use, DUI, and student safety. Messages like these, personalized for each participating school, will appear on the media:
- Chaminade students do not pressure students to drink.
- For Nerinx students, going out is not about alcohol.
- Westminster students do not typically drink when hanging out with friends.
- Four out of five MICDS do not drink and drive.
- Burroughs students do not let alcohol interfere with their academics.
- CDS students make their own choices to avoid alcohol use.
- Villa students respect students who choose not to drink.
- Priory students do not need to drink to have a good time.
- At Visitation, students have many ways to avoid drinking at a party.
- Riding in a car with someone who has been drinking is not cool for TJ students.
« Back to the ISSL Social Norms Main Page
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