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Minneapolis De�arlment ofHealth and Family Support Youth Access to Alcohol Research Project: Focus Groups Report Introduction Results from the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDHFS) Youth Homicide Study found a close link between violence and alcohol use among youth. �er this became known MDHFS staff planned several basic research studies to determine the extent to which youth gain access to alcohol in our community. The Minnesota Student Survey provides quantitative data on alcohol use by youth; however, it was believed that qualitative data on the social conte�t of youth alcohol access would be helpful in planning prevention initiatives. Some community members believed that youth of color and white youth had different methods of access to alcohol, and this issue in particular needed to be explored. NIDHFS collaborated with Hennepin County Community Health Departmentstaff to plan the study, since findings from this study could also inform County efforts. This report, one component of NIDHFS's four-part research project on alcohol issues, presents qualitative data on youth access to alcohol. The data was compiled from 16 focus groups conducted with more than 200 Minneapolis youth between the ages of 13 and 20 from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Key Findings l. According to the focus group participants, a primary factor influencing youth to drink or not drink alcohol is peer pressure. Curiosity and the attitudes and behaviors of parents and other adults, especially older siblings and friends, were mentioned in nearly all of the groups. Other factors influencing youth to drink include advertising, rebellion, stress and depression. 2. Nealry all of the youth remembered commercial advertisements promoting alcohoL The Budweiser "frogs" ads were mentioned most often, primarily because the youth considered them very funny. While most youth could remember a number of alcohol ads, few believed the ads actually influenced a youth's decision to drink or not to drink, although the ads could influence the types or brand of alcohol chosen by youth. Contrastly, relatively few youth could recall publio-service announcements or anti-alcohol advertisments and commericals. A majority of the focus group participants believed that youth could obtain alcohol easily in their communities. One key factor cited was whether youth knew someone who was 21 and was willing to purchase alcohol for them. The primary sources of alcohol for underage youth were older siblings or friends, especially those who recently reached the legal drinking age. The vouth indicated that alcohol could be obtained also from a) their homes, b) from li or stores and convenience st � ' ask for identification c) ) from bootleggers un �cens suppliers), or d) by asking adults entermg stores to purchase it for them. Prepared by Biko Associates. Inc. Page I