1. 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

2. 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 Current results are compared to 2009 and 2012 results.

3. 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

4. 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

5. Perception of Problem-Occasional Drinking

6. Perception of Problem-Moderate Drinking

7. Perception of Problem-Binge Drinking

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

9. Perception of Problem-Other Tobacco Products

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

11. Perception of Problem-Prescription Drug Abuse

12. Perception of Problem-Illegal Drugs

13. Perception of Problem-Bullying

14. Perception of Problem-Depression

15. Perception of Problem-Suicide

16. Perception of Problem-Mental Health Service Availability

17. 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%

18. Perception of Where Underage Drinkers Get Alcohol

19. Parents Who Host Lose the Most

22. “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.”