ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE MODEL

Rather than addressing public health and safety issues through educational efforts targeted at individuals, the Environmental Change Model targets the conditions surrounding environment. The goal of this model is to change these conditions by advancing policies at the institutional, community and public level.

Research shows that the decisions people make about substance use are largely shaped by the physical, socioeconomic and legal factors in their environment. These include availability, prevalent social and cultural norms and the level of enforcement. By changing these factors in a significant way, the project seeks to create a healthier environment, i.e. one in which alcohol and other drug abuse is less likely take place.

Components of the Environmental Change Model include: media advocacy, policy development, intentional organizing, applied data and research and enforcement. Through planning and utilization of all five components, the Environmental Change Model can help create an atmosphere that enhances community health and safety.