The following facts on underage drinking uncover the real condition of underage drinking in America. Today’s staggering numbers of teens who drink alcohol are alerting national, local and school officials. These children’s naiveté apparently makes them believe that not only is alcohol intoxication good it is also “cool”.[1] And in order for them to understand the gravity of the situation, they must be armed with these underage drinking facts.
Prevalence
- Approximately 700,000 students in middle school have consumed alcoholic beverages in the past month.
- Addiction to alcohol ranked SECOND among the reasons why adolescents sought professional intervention in 2009.[2]
- At 13 years old, children aged 12 to 17 started drinking alcohol.[3]
- A surprising 64% of 8th graders say that it is EASY to get alcohol.[4]
Causes
- More than half of children say that the LIKE getting drunk because it boosts their confidence.[5]
- Children gain access to alcoholic beverages through ADULTS.
- If a child has a family member who has a history of alcoholism, he or she is also likely to have a drinking problem.[6]
- Teens’ naturally inquisitive nature may lead them into drinking alcohol.[7]
Effects
- The number ONE cause of teen deaths in car accidents is alcohol-related. [8]
- The probability of alcohol dependence is FOUR TIMES more likely if the person begins drinking alcoholic beverages as a teen than a person who waits until the right age to start drinking.
- Adolescents have higher chances of becoming victims of crime such as assault, robbery and rape. [9]
- The chief cause of unprotected sex among adolescents is alcohol, increasing the danger of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases among teens. [10]
- Alcohol alters brain structure and function, especially during binge drinking.[11]
These underage drinking facts should serve as a wake-up call, telling everyone that the time to take action is NOW.
[1] http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/media/pdf/MythsFactsBrochure_508compliant.pdf
[2] http://www.rrstar.com/carousel/x1405317252/Our-View-Underage-drinking-a-serious-matter
[3] http://www.camy.org/factsheets/sheets/Prevalence_of_Underage_Drinking.html
[4] http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/MakeAdiff.pdf
[5] http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/factsheets/adolescents.pdf
[6] http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/MakeAdiff.pdf
[7] http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa67/aa67.htm
[8] http://williamsalliance.org/Underage%20Drinking%20Brochure.pdf
[9] http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/MakeAdiff.pdf
[10] http://www.alcoholpolicymd.com/programs/rudc.htm
[11] http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/underagedrinking/educatorguide.pdf