Description of Strategy
The Texting Tipline is a method for individuals to provide information to law enforcement about youth drinking and parties. Hotlines for students, teachers, or parents concerned about underage drinking can be a valuable information source. People use a hotline to report a party location either before or during the event. Patrol officers then drive by the location to identify any problems. Providing an easy-to-remember phone number, ensuring caller anonymity, and staffing the hotline with non-police personnel increase the likelihood people will call (Johnson, 2004).
Also known as...
Teen textline, text tips line, TipSoft Tipline, Texting hotline, CrimeStoppers Tipline/Hotline
Discussion of Effectiveness
Alcohol
Although there is limited evidence in the literature supporting the use of hotlines/tiplines as an effective prevention strategy, no causal link between the existence of hot-lines/tiplines and improved outcomes has been established. Additional evidence does not provide support for the use of hotlines/tiplines (Harwood, Fabian, Erickson, & Wagenaar, n.d.).
Prescription & Other Drugs
Although there is limited evidence in the literature supporting the use of hotlines/tiplines as an effective prevention strategy, no causal link between the existence of hot-lines/tiplines and improved outcomes has been established. Additional evidence does not provide support for the use of hotlines/tiplines (Harwood, Fabian, Erickson, & Wagenaar, n.d.).