Perceived effectiveness of community-based measures against alcohol misuse among "problem" and "nonproblem" drinkers

Perceptions of the effectiveness of 11 measures against alcohol misuse were examined in a community survey. School-based programming was most often and increased alcohol taxation least often rated effective. Binge drinking in the past year and male gender were inversely associated with perceived effectiveness, particularly of countermeasures with direct personal impact, including stricter enforcement of laws against driving while intoxicated and increased taxation. Studies of support for alcohol control have reported similar relationships between drinking behavior and support for measures imposing personal restrictions. Perceived effectiveness and support thus appear to be related yet distinct constructs. Improved understanding of the interrelationships among perceived effectiveness, support, drinking behavior, and empirically demonstrated effectiveness of countermeasures may aid in identifying strategies which are both effective and acceptable to targeted populations.