Measures
What the Survey Measures
Perception of ATODG Problem Within Community
To what extent do residents perceive alcohol, tobacco, other drug use
and gambling by teens and adults to be a problem? To what extent do
they see teens smoking in public? Adults and teens drinking in public?
Teens and adults gambling?
Sample Questions:
In your community, how much of a problem do you believe each of the following is?
- Tobacco use by teenagers
- Gambling by adults age 21-54
To what extent do drugs and alcohol use contribute to the following in your community?
- Other violent crimes
To what extent does gambling activity contribute to the following in your community?
- Depression
Permissive Attitudes Toward ATODG Use Even if residents perceive a problem, they may feel it is "no big deal" or "okay" for such problems to exist among teens and adults. What are the community's norms on ATOD use and gambling? To what extent do residents endorse beliefs such as "Kids who experiment with alcohol or other drugs almost always grow out of it," or "It's okay for teens to play poker for money." How much do they believe it's okay to provide alcohol to their own children and other young people?
Sample Questions:
People have different attitudes about the use of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling in general and preventing problems that might occur. How much do you agree or disagree with each of these statements?
- In my community, drinking among teenagers is acceptable.
- Do you feel it is okay for parents to offer their teenagers alcoholic beverages in their home?
- How acceptable would you rate the parents’ actions in the following situations?
- Parents buy lottery tickets or pull-tabs as gifts for their underage child.
Support for ATODG Policy and Prevention To what extent do residents believe in the basic concept of prevention? Who should take responsibility for prevention? Would they be willing to increase taxes or volunteer time to support prevention efforts?
Sample Questions:
People have different opinions on how to handle alcohol, tobacco and gambling use by teenagers. Please tell us if you personally favor or oppose each of the following actions:
- Local law enforcement spending more time enforcing laws that prohibit sales of tobacco products to teenagers.
- Local law enforcement spending more time enforcing the minimum gambling age.
People have different attitudes about the use of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling in general and preventing problems that might occur. How much do you agree or disagree with each of these statements?
- It is possible to reduce alcohol and other drug problems through prevention.
Adolescent Access to Alcohol, Tobacco and Gambling How difficult do residents believe it is for young people to get access to alcohol, tobacco products and gambling in the community? Are commercial or social sources perceived as providing easier access for young people?
Sample Questions:
Young people can obtain alcohol and tobacco products in many different ways. How difficult is it for teenagers in your community to…?
- Get an older person to buy alcohol for them
- Buy cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco at a store themselves
Young people can access gambling in many different ways. How difficult is it for teenagers in your community to…?
- Buy lottery tickets for themselves
Perception of Community Commitment Would this community mobilize around any issue, let alone ATOD abuse or problem gambling? What is the level of overall community commitment or apathy?
Sample Questions:
People have different attitudes about the use of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling in general and preventing problems that might occur. How much do you agree or disagree with each of these statements?
- It seems like my community is not interested in changing, no matter what the issue is.
- There is no sense of commitment in my community.
To download a PDF version of these sample survey questions please click here.