Overview
This assignment asks you to examine how neighborhood environments can influence substance use and related behaviors. Using a structured neighborhood observation checklist, you will analyze physical and social conditions, access to substances, and community resources, and then connect your observations to course concepts about risk, protection, and prevention. You & your partner will complete a brief neighborhood observation within a 1-mile radius of your home or another neighborhood you are familiar with.
Use the provided Neighborhood Observation Checklist (linked below) to guide your observations. After completing the checklist, respond to the reflection questions below using your observations as evidence.
This assignment involves observing features of a neighborhood environment. Your goal is to observe and record, not to intervene, investigate individuals, or place yourself in unsafe situations.
Safety Guidelines
- Complete the scan during daylight hours.
- You may walk, bike, or drive—choose the option that feels safest for you.
- Stay in public spaces only (sidewalks, streets, parks).
- Do not enter private property, buildings, or yards.
- If at any point you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, stop the scan and leave the area.
- You may choose a different neighborhood if your home area does not feel safe.
Ethical Guidelines
- This is an environmental observation, not a judgment of people or communities.
- Do not photograph or record identifiable individuals.
- Avoid making assumptions about residents’ behaviors, intentions, or character.
- Focus on visible environmental features (e.g., types of businesses, physical conditions, signage).
- Use respectful, neutral language in your written reflection.
Privacy and Respect
- Do not collect names, addresses, or any personal information.
- Do not interact with residents, business owners, or law enforcement as part of this assignment.
- Your observations should reflect what you see, not what you believe about a neighborhood.
Part 1: Neighborhood Observation (Data Collection) Complete all sections of the checklist, including:
* Location information * Physical and social disorder * Commercial mix (especially alcohol, tobacco, and retail outlets) * Recreational, educational, and health resources * Presence of alcohol and tobacco advertising
Be as objective as possible when recording what you observe.
Part 2: Written Reflection (Approximately 500 words total)
Your written submission should include the following sections:
1. Neighborhood Description (150–200 words)
Briefly describe the neighborhood you observed. Summarize key findings related to:
* Physical disorder (e.g., litter, broken glass, abandoned buildings) * Social disorder (e.g., panhandling, visible drug activity, loitering) * Maintenance of buildings and landscaping * Types of businesses and services present, especially liquor stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and fast-food outlets * Alcohol or tobacco advertising in public spaces
Use specific examples from your checklist rather than general impressions.
2. Substance Use Risk and Protection Analysis (200–250 words)
Analyze how this environment might influence adolescent or young adult substance use. Address both risk and protective factors.
* Identify at least three environmental risk factors (e.g., high density of alcohol outlets, visible drug paraphernalia, lack of supervised recreational spaces). * Identify at least three protective factors (e.g., parks, schools, libraries, community centers, health services). * Explain how each factor could realistically affect substance use behaviors using concepts from class (availability, normalization, stress exposure, supervision, social cohesion).
3. Personal Reflection (75–100 words)
Reflect on what you learned from completing this assignment. Consider:
* Did anything about your neighborhood surprise you? * Did this change how you think about substance use risk beyond individual choice? * What did this activity help you understand about prevention at the community level?
Submission Requirements
- Approximately 500 words total
- Typed, double-spaced
- Submit both the completed checklist and your written reflection to Canvas
- No outside sources required