Goals and Strategy of Youth In Action

Youth in Action (YIA) is a MADD program designed to reduce underage drinking by targeting social and retail availability of alcohol for youth under the age of 21. By partnering youth with law enforcement, targeting adults in the communities, and focusing on alcohol sales to minors, Youth In Action aims to change the perceptions of underage drinking of individuals in the community.

YIA is not a youth led program, nor a youth leadership opportunity, but a program that engages youth as agents of furthering the Mission of MADD. Youth leadership may be a byproduct of the program, but should not be used as a recruitment or promotion hook for teens. YIA is structured with specific projects to accomplish specific goals. Unless the YIA team is regularly implementing the 6 core projects, YIA groups are not encouraged to begin other projects.

Youth In Action is a prevention program targeted at the community in which you live. YIA projects focus on three areas: social, alcohol retailers, and law enforcement. All of these components make up the environmental prevention strategy of YIA. The immediate goal of YIA’s prevention strategy is to reduce the access of alcohol for those under the age of 21.

The long term goal of Youth In Action is to change perceptions (knowledge, attitude and beliefs) of underage drinking among the adults in the community, law enforcement, alcohol retailers and young adults.