Preventing underage drinking: A "roll of the dice"

This study examines the efficacy of a video entitled "Underage Drinking: A Roll of the Dice," and accompanying discussion guide. The video illustrates the civil and criminal consequences of underage drinking. The video and discussion aimed to: (1) increase awareness about the problem of underage drinking; (2) increase viewers' and participants' knowledge and perceptions of the risks and responsibilities and reduce the perceived acceptability of underage drinking; and (3) encourage discussion between youths and adults about underage drinking. The "Roll of the Dice" was evaluated in 19 school and community groups in Hawaii. Groups were randomly assigned to receive follow-up materials or no follow-up materials. Evaluation involved three surveys: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Three hundred youths and adults responded to the first two surveys, and 220 people completed a third survey. Youths and adults showed increases in short-term knowledge, perceived risk, and perceived responsibility, and a decrease in perceived acceptability of underage drinking after viewing the video. Significant improvement between the pretest and follow-up was observed, although the changes were not entirely maintained at the time of the posttest. The results showed that legal consequences of underage drinking are not common knowledge, and that a well-designed one-time program can make a difference. This video and discussion session provide an inexpensive way to raise adults' and youths' awareness of the laws and penalties, resulting in effects maintained for at least a month after the program. Additional follow-up materials did not enhance retention of changes in knowledge and attitudes.