The Austin Positive Action Coalition will be presenting “Positively Austin: The Story Behind Positive Community Norms” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Historic Hormel Home.

The result of a five-year Planning and Implementation grant hosted by the Parenting Resource Center, APAC is focused on reducing underage alcohol consumption through the use of positive community norms messages. The messages are part of the coalition’s “Truth is” media campaign.

“According to a survey we conducted in 2016 (at Austin High School), 84 percent of 11th grade males and 72 percent of 11th grade females said they have not had an alcoholic drink over a course of 30 days,” said Bill Spitzer, Planning and Implementation coordinator for APAC. “Ninety-two percent of our ninth grade males and 87 percent of our ninth grade females said ‘no’ as well. That ninth and 10th grade area is a pivotal age, so we want to start earlier, around seventh and eighth grades.”

Spitzer also said students and members of the community were asked what percentage of high school students they thought drank alcohol.

The students thought 69 percent of high school students drank versus the community’s answer of 43 percent. Both answers were higher than the actual number.

“One of the things we hope to do with this grant is to get those facts out there,” Spitzer said. “We want to show those positive aspects because sometimes we focus on things that aren’t true.”

Dr. Jeffrey Linkenbach of the Montana Institute will be the guest speaker for the event. Dr. Linkenbach’s pioneering work with positive community norms has been credited with reducing underage drinking in other communities throughout Minnesota. He will be discussing the framework behind positive community norms and their implementation in preventative measures.

The event is free. A complimentary dinner will be served.

For more information, contact Bill Spitzer at 507-460-1800, extension 0361 or bill.spitzer@austin.k12.mn.us.