About The California Council on Alcohol Policy - Our Approach

Our Approach

The California Council on Alcohol Policy explicitly uses the public health approach to addressing alcohol problem. Alcohol problems are viewed as community matters rather than individual problems alone. Alcohol problems contribute to and complicate most social, criminal justice and health problems.

Alcohol Problems Include

• Public intoxication
• Driving under the influence
• Violence
• Underage drinking
• Public nuisance problems near alcohol outlets
• Unintentional injuries

We believe policy changes in any of these areas can reduce alcohol problems. Alcohol problems affect all sectors of our society, therefore, we believe in extensive involvement from all sectors of our society is required to effect change. The reduction of community-level alcohol problems involve increased awareness, education and activism on the grass roots level.

The California Council on Alcohol Policy views alcohol-related problems as products of the interaction between individuals, alcohol consumption and sales and high risk settings. Sound alcohol policies can prevent and reduce alcohol-related problems in our state and communities.

Such Policies Include:

• Developing and enforcing state and local laws related to alcohol sales.
• Establishing policies on public drinking at parks, and public events.
• Changing policies on alcohol marketing and promotion, such as alcohol advertising on billboards and the sale of fortified products.