When COVID first reached Jackson County back in March, the youth members of Jackson County Prevention Coalition wanted to keep working on alcohol. One of the concerns the youth shared was that kids were now home all day, sometimes alone and there would be increased access to alcohol.  The group looked at traditional campaigns encouraging people to lock up or secure their alcohol. They felt the language was harsh. They group worked together to come up with the Accidental Bartender/Dealer Campaign. 

They decided to include medications in the campaign as the theme of securing them echoes the message about alcohol. After some discussion of how they were going to implement the campaign, they decided not to do posters as people were staying home at that time so putting posters in public places would not reach the target audience. They decided to go with billboards, lunch bag stickers, social media posts and radio PSAs, platforms that people who were staying at home would be reached. 

Jackson County Prevention Coalition assisted the youth in purchasing the media pieces.   Stickers with the campaign were placed on 1000 lunch bags that were sent home with students. Over 50% of the students and families were utilizing the free lunch program, so there was enough dosage to be impactful. The youth received positive feedback on the PSA's they wrote and recorded and the billboard they created. They were proud of the media campaign they designed. It was shared with coalitions across the country through CADCA's online community.

Great job, Jackson County Prevention Coalition and their youth in particular.  Please contact Julie Furne at jfurne@asac.us for more information on their campaign!