CMCA

CMCA is a nationally recognized program featured on SAMSHA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).  It utilizes community-organizing strategies to reduce youth access to alcohol by changing community policies and practices. CMCA has proven that effectively limiting the access to alcohol of people under the legal drinking age not only directly reduces teen drinking, but also communicates a clear message to the community that underage drinking is inappropriate and unacceptable.

CMCA employs a range of organizing techniques to address legal, institutional, social, and health issues in order to reduce youth alcohol use by eliminating illegal alcohol sales to youth by retailers and obstructing the provision of alcohol to youth by adults.

Proven Results
• Reductions in older youths (18 to 20 years old) providing alcohol to younger teenagers
• Youths 18 to 20 years old were less likely to try to buy alcohol, drink in a bar, or consume alcohol
• Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol declined significantly among 18– to 20–year-olds 
•Alcohol merchants increased age-identification checking and reduced propensity to sell to minors

HOW IT WORKS
CMCA can be implemented in virtually any rural, suburban, or urban community.  The program involves motivating community members to seek and achieve changes in local public policies and in the practices of community institutions that can affect access to alcohol. CMCA offers resource materials to help your community organize these efforts.

BENEFITS
• Mobilizes communities to make institutional and policy changes
• Has proven results in limiting youth access to alcohol
• Improves the health and well-being of the community
• Builds an evidence base for practice and implementation by changing the physical and social environments will have lasting and sustainable change
• Increases responsible outlet/merchant practices
• Engages multiple stakeholders who then become knowledgeable and involved in creating healthier communities by decreasing access and pro-consumption environments

PROGRAM DEVELOPER
Dr. Alexander C. Wagenaar, Professor of Epidemiology and Health Policy Research College of Medicine, University of Florida

For more information on the original CMCA Research click here

The Youth Leadership Institute is the official NATIONAL TRAINING PROVIDER for CMCA

Download the CMCA Fact Sheet