The Problem?

What Is Underage Drinking?
Underage drinking occurs when anyone under age 21 drinks alcohol in any amount or form.

• Underage drinking is dangerous.
• And, it's against the law, except in special cases, such as when it is part of a religious ceremony.

In 1984, the Federal Government enacted the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which calls for reduced Federal transportation funds-the money States use to build and repair their highways-to those States that did not raise the minimum legal drinking age to 21. Today, drinking by anyone under age 21 is against the law in every State and in the District of Columbia.

 

Why Is Underage Drinking Dangerous?
Underage drinking is a major cause of death from injuries among young people. Each year, approximately 5,000 people under age 21 die as a result of underage drinking; this includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300 from suicide, and hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns, and drownings.1

It can harm the growing brain. Today we know that the brain continues to develop from birth through the adolescent years and into the mid 20s.

It can affect the body in many ways. The effects of alcohol range from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning.

It can lead to other problems. These may include bad grades in school, run-ins with the law, and drug use.

It affects how well a young person judges risk and makes sound decisions. For example, after drinking, a teen may see nothing wrong with driving a car or riding with a driver who has been drinking, whereas, before drinking, the teen might realize the riskiness involved.

It plays a role in risky sexual activity. People do things when they are under the influence of alcohol-even a small amount-which they would not do when they are sober, including having sex even when they didn't want to and had not planned to do so. This behavior can increase the chance of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

 

 

 

Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts

You probably see and hear a lot about alcohol—from TV, movies, music, and your friends. But what are the real facts about underage alcohol use?

Myth Alcohol isn't as harmful as other drugs.
FACT Alcohol increases your risk for many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you.

Myth Drinking is a good way to loosen up at parties.
FACT Drinking is a dumb way to loosen up. It can make you act silly, say things you shouldn't say, and do things you wouldn't normally do (like get into fights).

Myth Drinking alcohol will make me cool.
FACT There's nothing cool about stumbling around, passing out, or puking on yourself. Drinking alcohol also can cause bad breath and weight gain.

Myth All of the other kids drink alcohol. I need to drink to fit in.
FACT If you really want to fit in, stay sober. Most young people don't drink alcohol. Research shows that more than 70 percent of youth ages 12 to 20 haven't had a drink in the past month.

Myth I can sober up quickly by taking a cold shower or drinking coffee.
FACT On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours for a single drink to leave the body. Nothing can speed up the process, including drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or "walking it off."

Myth Adults drink, so kids should be able to drink too.
FACT A young person's brain and body are still growing. Drinking alcohol can cause learning problems or lead to adult alcoholism. People who begin drinking by age 15 are seven times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age 21

Myth Beer and wine are safer than liquor.
FACT Alcohol is alcohol...it can cause you problems no matter how you consume it. One 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine (about a half-cup) has as much alcohol as a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. Alcopops—sweet drinks laced with malt liquor—often contain more alcohol than beer!

Myth I can drink alcohol and not have any problems.
FACT If you're under 21, drinking alcohol is a big problem: It's illegal. If caught, you may have to pay a fine, perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids who drink also are more likely to get poor grades in school and are at higher risk for being a crime victim.

 

 

 

 

The Solution

 

If someone is pressuring you to do anything that's not right or good for you, you have the right to resist. You have the right to say no, the right not to give a reason why, and the right to just walk away from a situation.
Resisting pressure can be hard for some people. Why?

They…

• are afraid of being rejected by others
• want to be liked and don’t want to lose a friend
• don’t want to be made fun of
• don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings
• aren’t sure of what they really want
• don’t know how to get out of the situation

Sometimes resisting isn’t easy, but you can do it with practice and a little know-how. Keep trying, even if you don’t get it right at first. To get started, check out Quick Tips.
Quick Tips: You can resist alcohol or anything else you may feel pressured into. These tips will make resisting a little easier. Print it, cut it out, and stash it somewhere safe where you can peek at it if you need a refresher.

 

 

 

Peer Pressure

Spoken pressure—when someone pressures you with words—can be difficult to resist. Most people don’t want to risk making others feel bad, but it’s important to stand up for yourself. Check out these strategies for dealing with spoken pressure.

Dos

 

• Say no assertively
• Stay alcohol free
• Suggest something else to do
• Stand up for others
• Walk away from the situation
• Find something else to do with other friends

Don't

 

• Attend a party unprepared to resist alcohol
• Be afraid to say no
• Mumble
• Say no to aggressively
• Act like a know-it-all when saying no

 

 

 

Union County PSA Contest

 

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Sources
1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2004). The NSDUH Report: Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age at First Use.
3. The Cool Spot. http://www.thecoolspot.gov/right_to_resist.asp

 

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