Stories of Resilience and Vulnerability: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges and Successes of Community Coalitions Addressing Underage Drinking in Louisiana During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Underage drinking is a significant public health concern, an issue that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study presents a post hoc qualitative analysis of five Louisiana community coalitions implementing the Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) model during the pandemic. Thematic analysis examined coalition operations, perceived successes and challenges, and strategies for sustaining prevention efforts. Participants identified reach, accessibility, and community engagement as central indicators of effectiveness. Diversity of the coalition and local partners, the prioritization of evidence-based practices, the effective use of locally relevant data, and support from local schools supported prevention activities and helped coalitions adapt when inperson programming was restricted. Persistent barriers included culturally embedded norms surrounding alcohol use, limited access to schools and youth, and insufficient involvement from relevant authorities. Despite these obstacles, coalitions demonstrated creativity and resilience through virtual meetings and programming, social media, and other multi-pronged outreach strategies. Findings underscore the value of diverse, data-informed, and locally tailored coalitions for sustaining underage drinking prevention during periods of major social disruption.