One of the five LiveFree! core values is Advocacy.  This web page has been created as a portal for resources and information that can strengthen the advocacy efforts of the LiveFree! Coalition.

This webpage is divided into to two categories: Policy and Practice

Policy: Laws, Ordinances and Policies
This area includes website links to actual laws, ordinances and policies at national level, within the state of Florida, in Pinellas County and its municipalities, and in Pinellas County high schools, colleges and universities.

Practice: Programs Monitoring Enforcement and Studying Best Practices
This area includes websites for national, state and local programs that study, monitor or support the outcomes of underage drinking laws and policies, and which strive to identify best practices for such intervention efforts.  These links may lead to websites or reports on underage drinking prevention efforts.

By becoming knowledgeable about underage drinking laws, ordinances and policies impacting youth and out communities, and by reviewing current research and best practice programs around the country, we can strengthen our advocacy efforts to improve our communities and keep our youth alcohol and drug-free.

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Most of the work of the LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County has focused on education and prevention:  individual-level interventions that “seek to change knowledge, expectancies, attitudes, intentions, motivation, and skills so that youth are better able to resist the pro-drinking influences and opportunities that surround them” (NIAAA 2006).

This section of our website is focused on the environmental-level interventions that “seek to reduce opportunities for underage drinking, increase penalties for violating minimum legal drinking age and other alcohol use laws, and reduce community tolerance for alcohol use by youth” (NIAAA, 2006).  This could include advocating for new policy, enacting zero-tolerance laws, stepping up enforcement of existing laws, and other best practice interventions.