Teens don't just drink. They drink to excess. More than 8 percent of
eighth graders, 16 percent of sophomores, and 24 percent of seniors report
recent binge drinking (5+ drinks on the same occasion). Statistics show
that the majority of current teen drinkers got drunk in the previous
month. Underage drinking is linked to injury and risky behavior.
Brain Development and Alcohol Abuse
Research indicates that the human brain continues to develop into a
person's early 20's. Exposure of the developing brain to alcohol may have
long-lasting effects on intellectual capabilities and may increase the
likelihood of alcohol addiction. For each year that the start of
drinking is delayed, the risk of later alcohol dependence is reduced by 14
percent.
Drinking and Driving
Car crashes are the leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 20.
Young people are more susceptible to alcohol-induced impairment of their
driving skills. Drinking drivers aged 16 to 20 are twice as likely to be
involved in a fatal crash as drinking drivers who are 21 or older.
Suicide
Alcohol use interacts with conditions like depression and stress, and
contributes to an estimated 300 teen suicides a year. High school students
who drink are twice as likely to have seriously considered attempting
suicide, as compared to nondrinkers. High school students who binge drink
are four times as likely to have attempted suicide, as compared to
nondrinkers.
Sexual Behavior
Current teen drinkers are more than twice as likely to have had sexual
intercourse within the past three months than teens who don't drink.
Higher drinking levels increase the likelihood of sexual activity.
Adolescents who drink are more likely to engage in risky sexual
activities, like having sex with someone they don't know or failing to use
birth control.
Other Risks
Teens who drink alcohol are more likely than nondrinkers to smoke
marijuana, use inhalants, or carry a weapon. Binge drinking substantially
increases the likelihood of these activities.
Academic Performance
A government study published in 2007 shows a relationship between binge
drinking and grades. Approximately two-thirds of students with “mostly
A’s” are non-drinkers, while nearly half of the students with “mostly D’s
and F’s” report binge drinking. It is not clear, however, whether academic
failure leads to drinking, or vice versa.
Teens report that alcohol is easy to get. Family and friends are the
primary sources of alcohol for kids who drink.Adults can play a role in
reducing teen access to alcohol. Take steps at home.
- Keep track of the alcohol in your home. Make sure teens can't
access it without your knowledge.
- Let your teen know that the minimum legal drinking age is 21,
and that drinking can cause serious health and safety consequences
to teens and legal consequences for a person who provides the
alcohol.
- Talk to your kids about how to say no to a drink. Suggest these
responses:
- No thanks.
- I don't feel like it. Do you have any pop?
- Alcohol's not my thing.
- Are you talking to me? Forget it.
- You're pressuring me. I said no.
- Back off.
Adults can play a role in reducing teen access to alcohol. Take steps
in your community.
Stand up, and spread the word that you don't want other people serving
alcohol to your teen or condoning teen drinking. Silence can be
misinterpreted. Let your friends, neighbors, and family members know that
the minimum drinking age is a policy that protects teens, and that you do
not want your teen to drink.
- Talk to the parents of your teen's friends. Let them know that
teen drinking poses unacceptable risks and that you do not want — or
expect — anyone to allow your teen to drink alcohol.
- Talk to adults who host teen parties. Let them know that 86
percent of parents support the legal drinking age and a whopping 96
percent of adults agree that it is not okay to serve alcohol to
someone else's teen — and not okay to turn a blind eye to teens'
alcohol consumption.
- Talk to your school board, school principals, teachers, and
coaches. Let them know that it is unsafe, illegal, and irresponsible
to condone teen drinking. Ask them to discourage this activity.
- Talk to management at restaurants, town halls, and other venues
where teen parties are held. Let them know that parents in your
community do not want teens to have access to alcohol.
- Let local law enforcement know that you don't oppose active
policing of noisy teen parties. A noisy party may signal alcohol
use; you will ask them to check it out.
- Tell local alcohol retailers that you don't mind waiting while
they check ID before selling alcohol. Limiting alcohol sales to
legal purchasers is an important goal and worth the time it takes.
Adults can play a role in reducing teen access to alcohol. Don't serve
alcohol to teens. It's unsafe. It's illegal. It's irresponsible.
