Alcohol is a very common and accepted drug in today’s society. Alcohol is a depressant and is the most widely abused drug in our society. Alcohol is legal only for those 21 years of age and older. Underage drinking and binge drinking continue to be a concern for many communities due to the potential harm and health effects those behaviors often result in.
Youth who begin drinking before the age of 15 are FOUR times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until age 21. Numerous studies have shown that the average age of first alcohol use is 13.1 years of age. The majority of alcohol consumed in our society is done so by a small percentage of our population (15% of drinkers consume 85% of alcohol produced.)
When abused, alcohol has the potential to be one of the most dangerous drugs to those using and people throughout our communities. Alcohol kills more young people than cocaine, heroin and all other illicit drug abuse combined. Excessive alcohol consumption is the 3rd leading preventable cause of death in the US. Alcohol plays a part in all 3 leading causes of death among youth; Unintentional injuries (motor vehicle fatalities & drowning), Homicides and Suicides.
From 1999 – 2003 in Wright County there were 67 fatalities on our roads. 23 of those fatalities were alcohol related. For 2006 we had 12 traffic fatalities on Wright County roads, with 8 of those being alcohol related. Additionally we can track the statewide DUI arrests to see the increase of drinking & driving as well. For MN in 2002 there were almost 27,000 DUI arrests! In 2004 that number jumped to 34,202 DUI arrests and the latest estimates for 2006 brings that number to 40,000 DUI arrests!
For additional information on Alcohol, visit these websites;
Alcohol
http://www.streetdrugs.org/alcohol.htm
“How much is too much?”
http://www.alcoholscreening.org/
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
http://www.medicinenet.com//article.html
Alcohol Abuse: How to Recognize Problem Drinking
http://familydoctor.org/755.xml
Alcohol, Peer Pressure and Underage Drinking Info for Young Teens
http://thecoolspot.gov/
