Got Outcomes! Missoula Forum for Children and Youth

The Missoula Forum for Children and Youth was selected as the CADCA Got Outcomes! 2007 Coalition of the Year Award winner in the "Single Substance or Substance-Related Problem category," which highlights coalitions that have successfully implemented multiple strategies to address one unique drug-related issue in their community. After an assessment revealed alarmingly high levels of alcohol use among 8th graders, 10th graders and 12th graders—giving Missoula the highest underage drinking rate in the state—the coalition developed a plan to reduce the availability of alcohol, change the perception among Missoula youth that underage drinking is tolerated, change positive youth attitudes toward alcohol, and increase parental supervision. This led to fewer youth reporting alcohol use within the past 30 days, more youth perceiving underage drinking to be wrong, fewer youth reporting poor family management practices and a greater number of youth delaying onset of alcohol use.