National Prevention Week 2018
#NPW2018, #eatonengage
Prevention of Underage Drinking & Alcohol Misuse
“Underage drinking interferes with brain development. Research shows that young people’s brains keep developing well into their 20s. Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting both brain structure and function. This may cause cognitive or learning problems and/or make the brain more prone to alcohol dependence. This is especially a risk when people start drinking young and drink heavily (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA], 2017).”
Listen to a Lansing Hospital Doctor Share About the Teen Brain and Alcohol
Most Teens Don't Use Alcohol
According to the 2016 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth Data, in Eaton County, most teens are not using alcohol regularly:
- Only 5.3% of 7th graders reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.
- Only 11.6% of 9th graders reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.
- Only 24.1% of 11th graders using reported alcohol in the past 30 days.
While, we ideally want zero use for minors, the vast majority of youth are not using alcohol regularly. We need to reinforce this message with teens. They don't have to buy into peer pressure from the few who are drinking.
Youth Photovoice Students Saying No to Alcohol and Drugs
In this Youth Photovoice picture (below), we learn that teens can and do regularly say no to drugs and alcohol.
"He watches, waits. Takes everything in. The screams, the lights, the speed of the ride in front of him. It's okay for him not to be a part of that. He can be content to be on his own path. Be content to be different. Not to do what everyone else is doing. Maybe that ride isn't for him. Maybe there's something better."
–Corinne, 2016 Tri-County Youth Photovoice Project
Eaton County Substance Awareness Advisory Group
Email: ecsaag@eatonresa.org
Website: www.eatondrugfree.com
Location: 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI, USA
Phone: 517-541-8711
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECSAAG/