CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Environmental Strategies
2. Types of Environmental Approaches
3. Putting Environmental Strategies To Work

Supplements
References
Resources

Environmental Strategies for Prevention
A Guide To Helping the Prevention Professional Work Effectively in the Community

Changing Social and Community Norms

What are society's attitudes about the acceptability or unacceptability of specific behaviors that may support or undermine prevention?

The belief that it is wrong to use illicit drugs or that it is acceptable for adults to drink in moderation are examples of community norms that influence the degree of drug use and abuse in society. Prevention professionals can help promote community norms that support healthy behaviors and choices and discourage unhealthy choices.

Attitudes toward drinking during pregnancy, for example, have recently started to change due to increased awareness about how alcohol can damage the unborn child. Slowly but surely, the community norms regarding drinking during pregnancy are also shifting. It was not long ago when a woman would face little stigma for having a drink or two while pregnant -- and in fact, they might have even been encouraged to do so. Incredibly, some doctors during the 1960s actually advised pregnant women suffering from morning sickness to try to settle their stomachaches by having a beer! Today, no amount of alcohol during pregnancy is considered safe for the developing fetus.

Prevailing beliefs can work for or against public health goals. For example, most college students do NOT binge drink. Yet many college students are under the impression that binge drinking is the norm on college campuses. This misperception has the potential to become self-fulfilling unless social and community norms change.