Policy

Policy change campaigns are one strategy Communities Against Substance Abuse uses to  change the norms about substance abuse.  Research has shown that over time, policies shape behaviors of the people within a community.   
An excellent example of policy change resulting in community norm change (over time) is the 20 year campaign by Mothers Against Drunk Driving to change laws, attitudes, and norms regarding drunk driving from 1980 to now.

Parents, school administrators, elected officials, and community leaders all set policies for their family, school, jurisdiction, or group. 
Community policies affect the price, rules for purchase, and advertising of a particular substance.  Policies are important as they:

• Reflect the values and attitudes of individuals, groups, and communities.
• Explicitly define acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
• Define legal and illegal behavior.
• Frequently identify penalties for violation.

Legislative Policies
Elected official’s policy actions become local, State, and Federal laws or legislative policies that affect all within their jurisdiction.  Legislative policies affecting substance use or abuse include rules for sale and use of alcohol, tobacco, , marijuana, inhalants, and other substances.
Community conditions that increase or decrease the risk of substance abuse are shaped by a number of legislative policies that are adopted by elected officials including:

• Local, State and Federal laws governing use and sale of  legal drugs.
• Zoning codes or land use policies, restricting the locations.
• Standards for licensed professionals such as doctors, law enforcement, pharmacists, etc.
• Regulations or ordinances defining, strengthening, or increasing consequences of both legal and illegal drugs.

Voluntary Policies
Voluntary policies are set by employers, school or healthcare administrators, and others that don’t carry the force of law but can be enforced within a business, school, company, or group.  Examples include:

• Policies for employees, for example drug-free workplace or mandatory Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service Training.
• Company dress codes or “No shirt, no shoes, no serviceâ€� customer policies.
• Pricing or merchandise return policies.