Preventing new liquor licenses through youth–community participatory action research

Abstract

This chapter examines how youth-led participatory action research to map the locations of liquor licenses in their city led to youth and adult collaboration to prevent new liquor licenses. Alcohol accessibility is a significant factor associated with adolescent alcohol use. Youth living in lower income neighborhoods often have higher than typical exposure to alcohol accessibility. In many ways, this chapter demonstrates how the South Tucson Prevention Coalition (STPC) worked together to create community transformational resilience because they were able to transform their environment in order to limit risk factors for adolescent alcohol use in a manner that would impact all youth in the city for many years. Their example demonstrates how a community can transform their environment to enhance opportunities for youth positive development and to limit exposure to risk factors.