Yolo Rum supports Responsibility.org
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 6.6 million American kids aged 12-20 drink alcohol each year. That’s more than 20% of all teens in the United States! Unfortunately, this high number comes with some pretty severe consequences. Teen alcohol use is a leading cause of death among young people in the United States. In fact, alcohol is involved in almost half of all fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
This is why the mission of Responsibility.org is so important. This organization works to eliminate underage drinking, drunk driving, and all impaired driving. They also work to empower adults to make lifetime responsible alcohol choices. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of underage drinking and what you can do to prevent it.
Risks associated with teenage alcohol consumption
As mentioned above, underage drinking is extremely dangerous. Some of the risks associated with teenage alcohol consumption include:
Physical Risks: Teenagers are still growing and developing, which means their bodies are not yet equipped to handle alcohol the same way as an adult’s body would be. This can lead to a variety of problems including brain damage, organ damage, and even death.
Alcohol Poisoning: Because they are smaller and still growing, teenagers are more susceptible to alcohol poisoning than adults. Alcohol poisoning occurs when someone drinks too much alcohol too quickly and their body cannot process it properly. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, low body temperature, and blueing skin tone. If not treated immediately, alcohol poisoning can lead to coma or death.
Increase Risky Behaviors: Underage drinking can lead to risky behaviors like unprotected sex, driving under the influence, and violence. These behaviors can result in a variety of negative outcomes including sexually transmitted diseases, car accidents, and criminal charges.
Problems at Home & School: Drinking can lead to problems at home and school including arguments with family members or roommates, disciplinary action from school administrators, or poor grades/being held back a grade level.
Responsibility starts with all of us
- Drunk driving fatalities have declined 36% since 1991
- In 1991, 80% of American teens had consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime. By 2020, that dropped to 44%
- Binge drinking among American youth has declined nearly 50% since 1991 and decreased by 24% among college students
- Currently, 87% of American adults self-report that they are confident they drink responsibly
Talk to your kids about making responsible decisions
The bottom line is that underage drinking is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. If you suspect that your child is drinking alcohol, don’t be afraid to have a conversation with them about it. You could even offer to get help from a professional if needed. For more information on underage drinking and how to prevent it, please visit responsibility.org today!
