Publications
The following publications are available on this website  in pdf format. You will need the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. The download can be found on Adobe's website.

FACT SHEET
Using Drugs is Not a Game 
August, 2006 —  (pdf file = 12KB)
Glorifying the use of alcohol and drugs has become a growing trend in video games.  Some even allow the player to use drugs, at least in the virtual sense, by applying state-of-the-art visual effects to simulate the effect of drug intoxication.  Such games are often rated Mature 17+ meaning that younger kids are frequently able to rent or purchase them without showing any proof of age.

BRIEFING SHEET
Communities using civil action to take back neighborhoods
East County Community Change Project — June, 2006 
Many communities are traumatized by public nuisances such as drug trafficking, gang activity, crime and violence stemming from a specific property/  When a problem property is ignored, neighborhood residents often witness and endure encroaching blight, declining property values and a lost sense of security.

BRIEFING SHEET
Keeping North Park Community Park Safe & Friendly
Vitality San Diego — August, 2005 
The North Park Community Park, located between Oregon and Idaho Streets from Howard to Lincoln Avenues, is the only park of its kind in greater North Park. It includes a Recreation Center  for adults, teens, and children. Facilities include a Teen Center, Tot Lot playground, tennis and basketball courts, softball fields and a senior Activity Center along with green areas for picnicking and other family activities.

ISSUE BRIEFING
Reducing the Impact of Smoke Shops:
East County Community Change Project — December, 2004
Businesses that specialize in selling drug paraphernalia became popular in the 1960s when marijuana and other drug use reached epidemic proportions.  During that period a subculture developed around the use of illegal substances, and businesses catering to drug users were commonly known as "head shops," a reference to the mind-altering substances used by their clientele.

RESEARCH SUMMARY
Evaluating the Impact of Outlet Density on Crime
East County Community Change Project — June, 2004
While much of the crime data police collect may not appear to be related to alcohol consumption, much less the density of alcohol outlets, the research tells a different story.  As demonstrated in the studies below, crimes such as domestic violence, assault, burglary, grand theft, and others are linked to the availability of alcohol in a community.  It would therefore be a mistake to minimize the relevance of such data when making decisions about whether to permit additional alcohol outlets in a neighborhood.

ISSUE BRIEFING
Alcohol and Economic Impact in the San Diego - Tijuana Border Region
Border Project — June, 2004
This issue briefing describes the ways in which inadequate control policies and lack of enforcement of alcohol policies inhibit economic development in border communities. The briefing also proposes solutions that can be implemented to create a healthier environment for both economic growth and public safety. 

ISSUE BRIEFING
Public Convenience or Necessity: The Power of Local Municipalities to Control Alcohol Outlet Density
East County Community Change Project — June, 2004
In a region experiencing rapid growth, communities are at risk of becoming over saturated with bars, liquor stores and other locations where alcohol can be purchased. This issue briefing details the problems associated with high alcohol-outlet density and the power of local municipalities to mitigate them by adopting stronger prevention policies.

ISSUE BRIEFING
An Intersection of Risks: Alcohol and HIV
Border Project — June, 2004
Recently federal agencies have called for more research on the relationship between HIV and alcohol and combined intervention strategies. This issue briefing provides information about alcohol abuse and HIV/AIDS and recommends actions for communities to reduce risks of both.

ISSUE BRIEFING
Keeping Your Special Event Festive and Safe
A Planning Guide for Ventura County Communities — August, 2003
With its sun-drenched climate, striking landscapes and dynamic population, Southern California offers a perfect setting for communities to celebrate their heritage and culture. Numerous festivals in Ventura County every year feature music, food and local flavor, attracting residents and visitors alike.

ISSUE BRIEFING
Organizing to Promote Smoke-Free Communities in the Transborder Region
Transborder Tobacco Control Project — June, 2003
This issue briefing, with a focus on practices and policies in Mexico, the Transborder Tobacco Control Policy Council outlines some of the tobacco-related risks in the region; describes recent steps taken to avert those risks and proposes further actions that can be taken to improve community health.

RESÚMEN INFORMATIVO
Organizar para Promover Comunidades Libres del Tabaco en la Región Fronteriza
Junio del 2003
Casi un tercio de la población mexicana está expuesta, voluntaria o involuntariamente, a los riesgos en la salud relacionados al tabaco. El consumo del tabaco es la causa mayor de muertes prevenibles en México, causando una de cada hora por enfermedades relacionadas al tabaco.

ISSUE BRIEFING
The Role of Treatment Programs in Planning Healthy Communities 
Solutions for treatment Expansion Project (STEP) — June, 2003
This issue briefing highlights the conditional use permit process (CUP), sometimes known as multiple use permit) as a key element in the expansion of treatment, since any residential program proposing more than six beds is required by law to obtain a CUP by the local governing authority. California State licensing requirements for residential alcohol and drug treatment programs also require a CUP.

ISSUE BRIEFING
Adult Accountability for Underage Drinking: The Case for Social Host Laws
East County Community Change Project — May, 2003
This issue briefing details the problem of social hosting — adults providing alcohol or allowing underage drinking to occur in private settings — and proposes a social host ordinance as a solution.

ISSUE BRIEFING
Securing Neighborhood Safety Through Effective Apartment Management
East County Community Change Project — May, 2003
In this issue briefing, the Institute for Public Strategies calls for the adoption of a Certified Apartment Manager Ordinance that would reduce criminal activity linked to the level of care given to multi-unit housing by rental managers and owners. Such an ordinance would allow cities and communities to make apartment complexes safer and more desirable places to live.

Issue Briefing — Advocating Responsibility in Sex-Themed Alcohol Ads
ISSUE BRIEFING
Advocating Responsibility in Sex-Themed Alcohol Ads
San Diego Countywide Project to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Problems —June, 2002
Many products on the consumer market are advertised with some form of sexual suggestion, ranging from attractive models to direct association between the product and sex (no matter how tenuous the link). Vying for customers in a competitive sales environment, alcohol companies are no exception.

Issue Briefing — Facing the Need for Treatment Expansion
ISSUE BRIEFING
Facing the Need for Treatment Expansion
Solutions for Treatment Expansion Project (STEP) — May, 2002
The need for additional alcohol and other drug addiction treatment programs in San Diego County is steadily growing, but so is community resistance to approving expansion of treatment facilities to meet this need. Residential treatment programs are strained to capacity. Attempts by providers to expand existing facilities or create new ones have been met with the public outcry "Not In My Back Yard" (NIIMBY).

Issue Briefing — Protecting Youth from the Influence of Alcohol Marketing
ISSUE BRIEFING
Protecting Youth from the Influence of Alcohol Marketing
San Diego Countywide Project to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Problems — May, 2002
Public and private entities have a vital interest in combating all the factors that contribute to underage drinking. Yet despite progress in implementing minimum legal drinking laws, many communities have been slow to rein in a billion-dollar force that saturates neighborhoods, glamorizes heavy drinking and directly appeals to youth: alcohol industry marketing.

Issue Briefing — Eliminating Promotions for Underage Drinking in Mexico
ISSUE BRIEFING
Eliminating Promotions for Underage Drinking in Mexico
The Border Project  — February, 2002
The Institute for Public Strategies  calls for creation of an ordinance to eliminate all alcohol promotions that target minors under 21 to drink in Mexico. This issue briefing provides background information and data illustrating the magnitude of local underage drinking and the rationale for recommended policy changes. This briefing then outlines  specific steps that can be taken to remedy this serious problem.

Issue Briefing — Building a Safe & Healthy North Park
ISSUE BRIEFING
Building a Safe & Healthy North Park
A Component of Vitality San Diego
December, 2001
As the site of major residential and commercial revitalization and improvement project, North Park stands at a crossroads that will determine the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Economic and community development strategies are needed to maintain healthy, safe and secure neighborhoods while ensuring commercial viability and growth.

Issue Briefing — Promoting Health and Safety in the LGBT Community
ISSUE BRIEFING
Promoting Health & Safety in the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Community
A Component of Vitality San Diego — November, 2001
Research confirms what many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people already know: the LGBT population is disproportionately harmed by the adverse consequences of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. The significant cost of substance abuse in the community is compounded by stress associated with coming out; prevalence of drug-and-alcohol-based socialization; targeted marketing campaigns by alcohol and tobacco companies; and the link between substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices.

FACT SHEET
Alcohol and HIV California/Baja California Region
Border Project — June, 2004
US Health Officials have made the connections between HIV and alcohol a high priority. The border region presents an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how binational collaboration can significantly affect major public health issues for the region as a whole.

FACT SHEET
How Much Authority do local governments have over alcohol outlet density?
ECCCP - East County Community Change Project
February, 2004 
According to state law, it is up to local government to determine if there is a need for more bars or liquor stores in high crime or over-concentrated areas. Given public health and safety concerns, local governing bodies should not take this question of need lightly.

FACT SHEET
San Diego Survey on Social Host Laws
August, 2003 
San Diegans overwhelmingly believe it is wrong for adults to provide alcohol to minors, according to a comprehensive telephone survey commissioned by the nonprofit Institute for Public Strategies  for the Social Availability Committee of the San Diego County Policy Panel on Youth Access to Alcohol.

FACT SHEET
San Diego Public Opinion on Marketing and Youth Drinking
July, 2003 
San Diegans believe that alcohol advertising and promotions are partly responsible for the consumption of alcohol by youth under 21 — which they consistently cite as a concern — according to a comprehensive telephone survey commissioned by the nonprofit Institute for Public strategies.

FACT SHEET
Community Stability and Safety — The Impact of Licensed Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers
STEP  Project — May, 2003
Solutions for Treatment Expansion Project (STEP)  has collected a range of data supporting the view that licensed residential treatment facilities promote community safety and are neighborhood assets. Highlights of the data are presented in this fact sheet.

FACT SHEET
Effects of Alcohol Outlet Density on Economic Development
East County Community Change Project 
February, 2003 
Research shows that a high concentration of alcohol outlets in a location can hamper economic development. While such businesses may be heavily patronized, they add little intrinsic value to the community, and they make the area less attractive to other types of retail business. 

Fact Sheet — Underage Drinking in the Mountain Empire Region
FACT SHEET
Underage Drinking in the Mountain Empire Region
East County Rural Project — August, 2002
Alcohol and other drug use among youth in San Diego's Mountain Empire region continues to be a substantial problem. Results of a recent survey show that a large number of frequent drinkers had their first drink at age 8 or younger. In addition, students identified as frequent drinkers were more likely to use other drugs and use them more often.

Fact Sheet — Cross-Border Drinking Concerns
FACT SHEET
Cross-Border Drinking Concerns
The San Diego-Tijuana Border Project — June, 2002 
Residents of San Diego County are very concerned about underage youth traveling to Tijuana, Mexico to drink alcohol. They believe that marketing by Tijuana bars plays a large role in influencing this phenomenon, according to a comprehensive telephone survey commissioned by the nonprofit Institute for Public Strategies. Residents want policymakers to do more to curb the problem.

Hechos y Datos — El Consumo Excesivo del Alcohol en la Frontera
HECHOS Y DATOS
El Consumo Excesivo del Alcohol en la Frontera
El Proyecto Fronterizo Tijuana-San Diego — Junio del 2002
Residentes del Condado de San Diego están bien preocupados por el problema de jóvenes menores de edad que van a Tijuana a consumir alcohol en exceso, según una encuestra telefónica comisionada por el Instituto de Iniciativas Públicas (IPS por sus siglas en inglés), una organización sin fines de lucro.

Fact Sheet — Alcohol Ads Aim at Ethnicity
FACT SHEET
Alcohol Ads Aim at Ethnicity
San Diego Countywide Project to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Problems — May, 2002
Alcohol industry advertisements often exploit important cultural symbols, especially in Latino and African-American communities, as promotions are targeted toward specific ethnic groups in order to boost and maintain profits. Alcohol ads portray drinking as a way to achieve success, sexual appeal and social status.

Hechos y Datos — Promociones de Alcohol Dirigidas a Minorías Éthnicas
HECHOS Y DATOS
Promocioned de Alcohol Dirigidas a Minorías Éthnicas
Proyecto del Condado de San Diego para Prevenir Problemas del Alcohol y Otras Drogas— Mayo del, 2002
La industria del alcohol a menudo explota símbolos culturales importantes en sus anuncios, especialmente en las comunidades Latina y Afro-Americana, y para aumentar y mantener sus ganancias esta industria dirige sus promociones a específicos grupos étnicos.

Fact Sheet — Treatment Expansion Terms Defined
FACT SHEET
Treatment Expansion Terms Defined
Solutions for Treatment Expansion Project (STEP) — May, 2002
Terms such as addiction, alcohol or drug problems, treatment facilities, community care licensed facilities, conditional use permit or major use permit, controlled substance, detoxification, disease model of addiction, intervention, NIMBY, Proposition 36, recovery, relapse and sober living facility are addressed in this fact sheet.

Fact Sheet — Prop 36: The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000
FACT SHEET
Proposition 36: The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000
Solutions for Treatment Expansion Project (STEP) — March, 2002
In November, 2002, sixty-one percent of California voters approved Proposition 36, the "Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000." The law significantly changed the state's criminal justice and drug treatment systems, routing thousands of nonviolent drug offenders into treatment instead of prison.

Fact Sheet — Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions
FACT SHEET
Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions
Solutions for Treatment Expansion Project (STEP) — March, 2002
Answers to frequently asked questions. Some of the questions addressed include:

— 

What is Nimby?
—  Aren't most of the people who go to alcohol and drug treatment programs a problem for neighborhoods?
—  If I have a treatment program near my house, won't my property values decrease?
—  Why do we need to increase the number of services?

Fact Sheet — The San Diego County Poll on Alcohol Promotions and Youth
FACT SHEET
San Diego County Poll on Alcohol Promotions and Youth
From the San Diego Alcohol Survey (2001) —  presented in March, 2002
San Diegans consider drinking by youth under 21 to be a serious local problem, and they believe that the promotional practices of the alcohol industry contribute to underage and excessive drinking, according to a comprehensive telephone survey commissioned by the nonprofit Institute for Public Strategies.

Fact Sheet — Poll on Alcohol Issues and Quality of Life in East Village/Ballpark Redevelopment
FACT SHEET
Poll on Alcohol Issues and Quality of Life in East Village/Ballpark Redevelopment
From the San Diego Alcohol Survey (2001) —  presented in March, 2002
County residents want planners for downtown San Diego's redeveloped East Village neighborhood and the new ballpark to ensure safety and a high quality of life in the area, according to a comprehensive telephone survey commissioned by the nonprofit Institute for Public Strategies.

San Diego's Alcohol Billboard Ordinance Campaign  
San Diego's Alcohol Billboard Ordinance Campaign — Achieving Public Policy Through Community Advocacy
Achieving Public Policy Through Community Advocacy
This case example is intended to illustrate the components of a strategic policy campaign (1998-2000) in San Diego that achieved an ordinance prohibiting alcohol billboards in areas frequented by youth. It presents an effective campaign model that has been successful in advocating and achieving community-level public policy. 

BOOKLETS / SERIES
  • "Community Zoning" — a guide to Siting a Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility (2002)
  • "Gaining Community Allies" —  a Guide to Building Support for a Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility (2002) 
  • "Political Process" — a Guide to Gaining Approval for a Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility (2002)
  • "Media Access and Advocacy" — A Guide to Making News for Community Change (2002)

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