Community Perception Survey 2014 Results Availability Acceptability Tobacco Other Drugs Social Issues La Crosse County Alcohol Public Support Compiled by Tracy Herlitzke CESA #4, January 2015

Methodology A survey focusing on perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in the community was sent in October 2014 to 2,400 random households in La Crosse County. To increase response rate, a pre-notification postcard was sent a week prior to the survey mailing. A reminder post-card was sent two weeks following survey mailing. Analysis was conducted on 405 surveys from La Crosse County (17% response rate). Similar surveys were conducted in 2005, 2009, and 2012. Current results are compared to 2009 and 2012 results.

Demographic Information The age range of the respondents was 18-80; 58% or respondents were over the age of 55 51% Female, 48% Male 99% White, 1% Other Races Higher educational attainment and household income level greater than general population 25% had at least one minor or dependent living in household Representative of multiple communities in La Crosse County Survey Participant Demographic Total=405 2014 Responses Percent Gender Female 192 51% Male 181 48% Prefer Not to Answer 5 1% Did not respond 27   Age 18-24 years 25-34 years 37 10% 35-44 years 46 13% 45-54 years 67 18% 55-64 93 25% 65 and older 119 33% 38 Education Did not graduate High School 10 3% High School Diploma 64 17% Vocational School 39 Some College 56 15% College Graduate 111 29% Post Graduate/Professional 83 22% 17 5% 25

Demographic Information Household Income 2014 Responses 2014 Percent Less than $10,000 9 2% $10,000-$25,000 28 7% $25,001-$50,000 91 24% $50,001-$75,000 87 23% $75,001-$100,000 61 16% Over $100,000 48 13% Prefer Not to Answer 52 14% Did not respond 29   Area of Residence 2014 Responses 2014 Percent Holmen 48 13% La Crosse 211 57% Onalaska 72 20% West Salem 18 5% Others 21 6% Did not respond 36  

Perception of Problem-Occasional Drinking

Perception of Problem-Moderate Drinking

Perception of Problem-Binge Drinking

Perception of Problem-Tobacco Use * * *2014-Not Asked

Perception of Problem-Other Tobacco Products

Perception of Problem-Marijuana * * *2014-Young Adults and Adults Combined

Perception of Problem-Prescription Drug Abuse

Perception of Problem-Illegal Drugs

Perception of Problem-Bullying

Perception of Problem-Depression

Perception of Problem-Suicide

Perception of Problem-Mental Health Service Availability

Alcohol Availability & Acceptability 2009 2012 2014 Occasional Drinking among Teenagers 17 and younger is Acceptable. 11% 8% Occasional Drinking by 18-20yr olds is Acceptable. 46% 38% 42% Binge Drinking among Teenagers 17 and younger is Acceptable. 2% 3% N/A Binge Drinking among 18-20yr olds is Acceptable. 5% It is okay for teenagers ages 17 and younger to drink as long as they don’t drive afterwards. 4% 6% It is okay for young adults 18 to 20 years to drink as long as they don’t drive afterwards. 30% 25% 27% It is okay for parents to offer their own teenagers ages 17 and younger alcohol. 23% 18% 21% It is okay for parents to offer alcohol to teenagers ages 17 and younger other than their own. 1% It is okay for parents to offer alcohol to young adults 18 to 20 years old. 31% 29% Alcohol is readily available to teenagers ages 17 and younger. 73% 68% 67% Alcohol is readily available to young adults ages 18 to 20. 78% Retailers commonly sell alcohol to teenagers ages 17 and under. 24% Adult friends and/or siblings 21 years and older often provide alcohol to teenagers. 77% 75%

Perception of Where Underage Drinkers Get Alcohol

Parents Who Host Lose the Most

“more regulation on alcohol sales. more events for teenagers” 110 Participant Comments “I want to see drugs and drug dealers out of this city. I want stricter punishment to be enforced for people who use and sell drugs. I want to see more people arrested and get these drugs out of the hands of people. Drugs destroy lives.” Theme Comments Survey Feedback 29 Legal Drinking Age 12 Solutions 11 Marijuana 8 Laws Story Consequence of Alcohol 7 Parenting Drug Use 6 Law Enforcement 5 Other Oktoberfest 4 Mental Health-Suicide Judge 2 Crime Bullying E-Cigarettes 1 Events for Teens “18 yr olds should have the right to consume alcohol . Parents should teach the good and bad points of alcohol use.” “I think sale of E use of tobacco products should be made completely illegal.” “Too much emphases is put on tapping the golden keg. It sends the wrong message.”