Underage Drinking
Think before you drink.
FACTS
- Teens who start drinking before age 15 years are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life than those who begin drinking at or after the legal age of 21. https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-alcohol
- Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs, and is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage youth. http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
- Death – 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning.
- Serious injuries – More than 190,000 people under age 21 visited an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries in 2008 alone.
- Impaired judgment – Drinking can cause kids to make poor decisions, which can then result in risky behavior like drinking and driving, sexual activity, or violence.
- Increased risk for physical and sexual assault – Youth who drink are more likely to carry out or be the victim of a physical or sexual assault.
- Brain development problems – Research shows that brain development continues well into a person’s twenties. Alcohol can affect this development, and contribute to a range of problems.
Consequences of underage drinking
- Physical and sexual assault.
- Memory problems.
- Death from alcohol poisoning
- Alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries.
- School problems, higher absence lower grades.