Coalition Data Findings

The following findings area culmiation of data from The California Healthy Kids Survey, An independent survey conducted with local youth by The Coalition in conjunction with SAY, local law enforcement, Emergency Room (local) data as well as data provided by the California Department of ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control).  We hope you will find this information useful.  Thank you.

 

 

Density of Alcohol Outlets:

•       Off-sale outlets = 61

•       On-sale outlets = 68

•       Wine tasting rooms = 31

•       Total alcohol outlets = 160

•       Rate = 1 alcohol outlet for every 62 residents

 

2007 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS):

•       62% of 9th graders and 77% of 11th graders at SVHS reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.

 

•       26% of 9th graders and 37% 11th graders at SVHS reported binge drinking in the past 30 days (binge drinking being 5 or more drinks in a 2 hour period).

 

•       43% of 9^th graders and 59% of 11^th graders at SVHS reported having ever been very drunk or very sick after drinking.

 

• 35% of 5^th graders reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.

 

2005 Law Enforcement Data:

•       DUI arrests:  81 arrests, 20 of which were underage (25%).  Thirteen were 18-20 and seven were 17 of age or younger

 

•       Drunk in Public arrests:  37 people were arrested for being drunk in public.  Of those, 6 were underage (11%).

 

•       Underage Parties:  SVPD was called to 8 parties related to underage drinking.

 

Emergency Room Data:

•       In 2005, there were 43 alcohol related Emergency Room admissions at Sonoma Valley hospital for underage youth.

 

CA Dept. of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Statistics:

•       In 2006, the ABC made a total of 41 visits to alcohol outlets in the Sonoma Valley.  Out of the 41 visits, 9 merchants sold alcohol to the minor decoys (22% violation rate).

 

•       In January 2007, the ABC conducted 3 minor decoy operations, visiting a total of 59 alcohol outlets.  Out of the 59 visits, 12 merchants sold alcohol to the minor decoys (20% violation rate).

 

•       In December 2008, the Sonoma Police Department did their own decoy operation and found that one in three establishments sold to the decoy (33% violation rate).

 

•       The statewide minor decoy violation rate is 15.89%

 

Student Perceptions of Youth Access to Alcohol:

•       Student focus groups were conducted in October 2006 at SVHS by Bob Ruffner.  The focus groups indicated the following:

–      10% buy alcohol themselves

–      20% Steal it from a store

–      31 Given by hosts at a party

–      39% Friend buys it

 

•       It is easy to get someone to buy alcohol (older brother/sister, older friend, someone outside a store).  All you have to do is pay someone to buy it for you.

•       It is easy to get a fake ID

•       Stores don’t ask for IDs anyway

•       It is easier for underage girls to buy alcohol

•       Friends who know you will sell alcohol to you

 

•       Students indicated that they can buy alcohol from the following places:

–      10% Longs or Rite Aid

–      26% liquor store

–      31% Albertson’s or Safeway

–      33% Eleven or other mini-mart

–      Parents interviewed separately indicated similar findings

 

Where are youth drinking alcohol?

•       The most common areas where underage youth consume alcohol are at their home or a friend’s home, the Plaza and the “Plat.”

 

•       Youth have also indicated that alcohol is consumed at school events like dances and football games.

 

•       Some youth at SVHS consume alcohol on campus during school.  Alcohol is concealed in plastic water bottles, cans, energy drinks and thermos bottles.

 

•       Students at SVHS leave campus at lunch and break as well as cut class to drink alcohol.

 

•       Some students drink alcohol on the way to school.

 

•       Drinking parties often occur before dances

 

•       Parents provide alcohol to teens and their friends in their own homes so that they don’t “drink and drive.”

The “Plat”

broken beer bottle in the Rock City area

For many generations in Sonoma there has been one consistent drinking spot for teenagers and that has been The Plat.  For those of you who are wondering where exactly this place is and why it is so popular, look no further.  

Where?

The Plat is located up above Mountain Cemetery above the Overlook Trail.  It is a very steep and at certain places a treacherous trail,especially in the dark and even more so while intoxicated.  Yesterday, we took a daytime hike up there and took some photos.  The trail in many place drops off into a deep and rocky ravine and this time of year the hillside is extremely dry and the fire potential is HUGE.  As you climb higher and begin to take side “deer” trails above the overlook the rocks become less stable and the trail more narrow.

 

Firepit

Once at the top you reach rock walls and rock sculptures created by the teens of Sonoma over the generations and further still there is a rock “cave”like pit with a fire pit.  The fire pit as well as cigarette butts/packs should be a very big concern due to the incredible fire danger that the Sonoma Valley has during summer and fall months. Let’s face it: fire and drunk teenagers – for many reasons – is a recipe for disaster.

 

 

Why?

Due to the steep incline and out of the way location it makes uninterrupted partying an easy accomplishment.  Additionally, the view from up there is one that looks over the trails leading up to the Plat and the kids can see when the police are coming with essentially a 20 minute head start escape out the back trails.  The fence line has been breached in numerous places and there are multiple trails in and out of the area.  The kids disperse down various trails and it becomes near impossible for law enforcement to catch them.  It should also be noted that while law enforcement is busy hiking up the trail to get the kids down it takes them away from their patrols down in the valley.  This could potentially create a dangerous situation in the Valley.

 

 

This breach in the fence line is along a back "trail" and leads back into Mountain Cemetery