Portland Social Norms Project

The Portland Social Norms Project engages two targeted communities to prevent underage drinking, and empowers teens to develop and execute a related media campaign that can be replicated in other areas of Multnomah County. This compelling project is a collaborative effort of Oregon Partnership, CARSA, and Wilson and Marshall high schools.

Student teams - Students Making Ads for Social Health (SMASH) at Marshall and Positive Action Concerning Teens (PACT) at Wilson - have been active since fall 2009, surveying their schools and communities and creating broadcast and print media messages that counter common misperceptions about youth drinking and other drug use.

As part of the project, two successful Town Halls recently were held in the Wilson and Marshall communities, each bringing together teens, parents and community members for lively discussions about attitudes, challenges and solutions to youth substance use.

Both SMASH and PACT continue to meet and develop their campaigns, and plan to recruit additional team members during the 2010-11 school year.

Click to learn more about the SMASH and PACT student and community surveys.

Click here to learn more about the Portland Social Norms Project and the two Community Town Halls.