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Start Talking!
Know!
Underage Drinking is a Big Deal
4/18/2019
No other substance is more widely used by America’s youth than alcohol,
making alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related problems the number one
public health problem in the United States.
Even though the legal drinking age is 21, people aged 12 to 20 drink 13
percent of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. More than 90 percent of
that consumption is in the form of binge drinking.
Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that raises the blood alcohol
concentration to 0.08 g/dL. For males, this typically means consuming
five or more drinks in a row; for females, this typically means
consuming four or more drinks in a row—in about a two-hour time period.
Binge drinking can lead to death in the form of alcohol poisoning or by
suppressing the gag reflex, which puts a person at risk for choking on
their own vomit.
The widespread prevalence of underage drinking and the negative
consequences it creates remain a stubborn and destructive problem
despite decades of efforts to combat it. Far too many teens and parents
continue to overlook just how big of a deal underage drinking is.
In addition to being against the law, underage drinking is associated
with many tragic consequences including:
Sexual assaults
Unwanted pregnancies
Highway deaths
Drownings
Suicides
Injuries
Disrupted families
Over the past two decades, scientific research has revolutionized our
understanding of how alcohol and drugs affect the body and the brain.
We now know that prolonged, repeated alcohol and drug use can result in
fundamental, long-lasting changes in the body including brain structure
and functioning. Research also indicates that alcohol use during the
teenage years can interfere with normal adolescent brain development
and increase the risk of developing alcohol problems later in life.
Alcohol is a drug—a powerful, mood-altering drug—and alcoholism is a
chronic disease. The longer children delay drinking and drug use, the
less likely they are to develop problems associated with it. It’s
important to help our children make smart decisions about alcohol and
drug use.
We have done a great job educating youth on the risks of drinking and
driving. Most every teen knows it is illegal, dangerous, and
potentially deadly. However, nearly a third still accept rides from
drivers who have been drinking—which means we still have work to do.
Alcohol and drug use is a very risky business for young people. Parents
are the first line of defense and can make a difference. In a future
Know! Tip, we will share some ideas on keeping our teens alcohol-free,
and helping them to avoid situations that place them and others in
danger.
Remember to follow Start Talking! on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Learn how to get the drug prevention conversation started at
StartTalking.Ohio.Gov.
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