TEEN ALCOHOL ABUSE IN MARIN
Alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug that is toxic to brain development. It is especially dangerous for youth since they underestimate the risks and don’t know their own limits. In a recent survey, only 56% of eighth graders and 43% of high school seniors said they thought drinking heavily once or twice a weekend was a great risk. However, consequences are real, especially since teens lack the judgment and coping skills to handle alcohol.
- Alcohol-related traffic accidents are a major cause of death and disability among teens, and alcohol is linked with deaths of youth by drowning, fire, suicide, and homicide.
- Youth alcohol abuse has been shown to severely impact brain development, scholastic performance and cognitive functioning…read more
- Youth who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active at earlier ages, to have more sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex.
- Youth who drink are more likely than others to be victims of violent crime, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.
- Youth who drink are more likely to have problems with school work and school conduct.
- Youth who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to be dependent on alcohol as adults than those who wait until age 21.
One national survey found that of the youth who reported drinking regularly (at least once a week) in the past month:
- 49% had used marijuana, while 21% had used other illegal drugs in the last month.
- 50% had been in a physical fight in the past year.
- 16% had carried a weapon to school in the past month.
- 27% had engaged in risky sex.
The message is clear: Alcohol use is risky for youth. The longer children delay alcohol use, the less likely they are to develop problems associated with it, which is why it is so important for you to help your child avoid any alcohol use.
To address this issue, Social Host ordinances have been passed throughout Marin County to prevent adults from serving alcohol to minors in their homes. These new laws empower parents to set limits and protect the lives of youth who don’t yet know how to protect themselves. To support parents to uphold this law, Teen Solutions Youth Services in Marin collaborated with the Youth Addiction Prevention Coalition to create the Parent Pledge.
Call us for a free initial phone consultation: 415-360-5445
*Source: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center at SafeYouth.org
