Social Deviance: Underage Drinking
By Julia Wilson
The youth heavy drinking episode indicator identifies the proportion of people age 12-19 years who reported consuming five or more drinks on at least one occasion during the previous 12 months
Research indicates that youth view heavy drinking as a social norm and that the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption are a ‘rite of passage'
The view of underage drinking being a social norm is highlighted by the fact that while illicit drug use has generally been declining, the prevalence of heavy drinking has been holding steady and even increasing, particularly among youth aged 15 to 25
In 2007, 25% of people in Ontario age 12-19 years reported consuming at least five drinks on at least one occasion in the previous year. This rate has been at a steady increase
More than 90% of people with an addiction began smoking, drinking or using other drugs before age 18
Heavy drinking is associated with risk taking behaviour. Risks and consequences associated with heavy drinking include death, injury, violence, alcohol poisoning, unplanned and unwanted sexual experiences including sexual assault and sexually transmitted infections. Prolonged heavy drinking may result in brain damage, liver disease, cancer or heart disease