title: Local Support for Alcohol Control Policies and Perceptions of Neighborhood Issues in Two College Communities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although valuable, national opinion surveys on alcohol policy may be less informative for policy development at the local level. Using samples of adult residents in 2 college communities, the present study: (1) measured public support for local alcohol control policies to stem underage drinking and alcohol overservice in on-premise outlets, (2) assessed residents' opinions regarding neighborhood problems, and (3) identified factors associated with strong policy support.
  
  
  METHODS
  We administered random-sample telephone surveys to residents aged 21 years and older in college communities located in Community 1 (N = 501; mean age = 57.4 years, SD = 14.7) and Community 2 (N = 505; mean age = 56.0 years, SD = 15.2). The response rates were typical of telephone surveys (Community 1: 33.5%; Community 2: 29.9%). We assessed support for 16 alcohol control policies and the occurrence of specific types of neighborhood incidents (e.g., witnessing intoxicated people). We used multiple regression analyses to determine factors associated with policy support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Residents in Community 1 reported significantly higher weekly alcohol use, a greater number of witnessed neighborhood incidents, and a higher level of perceived neighborhood problems than did residents in Community 2. Residents in Community 1 perceived local alcohol control policies and their enforcement to be significantly stricter. Overall, policy support was high and did not differ between the communities. In both communities, higher policy support was significantly associated with being female, being older, less weekly alcohol use, and lower perceived strictness of alcohol control policies and enforcement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important for campus officials and community leaders to be aware of and publicize favorable public opinion when advocating for policy change, especially at the local level. Information on residents' perceptions of the neighborhood issues they face can also inform local policy and enforcement efforts.
authors.affiliation: a University of Rhode Island , Department of Psychology , Kingston , Rhode Island , USA.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fairlie
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: DeJong
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000066608:Underage Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol control; college students; public policy
references.citation: J Am Coll Health. 2002 Mar;50(5):203-17
references.pmid: 11990979
references.citation: J Public Health Policy. 2004;25(1):58-77
references.pmid: 15134133
references.citation: J Am Coll Health. 2007 Nov-Dec;56(3):231-6
references.pmid: 18089503
references.citation: J Public Health Policy. 2000;21(3):303-27
references.pmid: 11021045
references.citation: J Abnorm Psychol. 1991 Nov;100(4):427-48
references.pmid: 1757657
references.citation: Addict Behav. 2003 Mar;28(2):301-13
references.pmid: 12573680
references.citation: Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2001 Apr;25(4):549-56
references.pmid: 11329495
references.citation: Addict Behav. 2007 Jan;32(1):158-65
references.pmid: 16626881
references.citation: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2008;34(6):749-59
references.pmid: 19016180
references.citation: Aust N Z J Public Health. 2009 Apr;33(2):160-6
references.pmid: 19413861
references.citation: J Stud Alcohol. 2001 Jan;62(1):32-43
references.pmid: 11271962
references.citation: J Stud Alcohol. 2006 Nov;67(6):868-79
references.pmid: 17061004
references.citation: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010 Jul;36(4):187-93
references.pmid: 20560837
references.citation: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Suppl. 2009 Jul;(16):96-105
references.pmid: 19538917