Underage drinking is rampant in America
Alcohol Awareness Month is coming in April and not a bit too soon, because underage drinking is at epidemic proportions according to a report released March 25, 2010 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA).
The report states over a quarter of persons aged 12-20, (27.6 percent), drank alcohol in the past month. Some states, such as North Dakota, and Vermont had rates approaching 40 percent.
Alcohol happens to be the most abused substance by youth in America. The drug also "...contributes to the three leading causes of death among 12-20-year-olds (unintentional injury, homicide and suicide). And research shows that those who start drinking before age 15 are six times more likely to have alcohol problems as adults than those who start drinking at age 21 or older," stated SAMHSA.
"Nationwide, approximately 8.6 percent of past-month drinkers aged 12-20 purchased their own alcohol the last time they drank. The rates were among the highest in Louisiana and the District of Columbia (18.8 percent) and among the lowest in Alaska (3.1 percent) and New Mexico (3.7 percent)," the reported said. Data for this study were drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2006-2008.
"SAMHSA and the Ad Council today launched a new series of national public service advertisements to encourage parents to talk to their children about drinking alcohol at an early age," the report stated. The PSA's will use television, radio, magazine, newspaper and Internet ads to get the message out.
These ads will coincide with Alcohol Awareness Month that occurs in April. AAM is the U.S. Surgeon General's "Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking" and is online here. "The PSA campaign includes resources for parents that illustrate the short and long-term consequences of underage drinking and for tips on talking with their kids about alcohol," the report said.
Parents can also go to Nickelodean's "Parents Connect" for help on answering your kids questions about alcohol.
Don't wait until it's too late to talk with your children, and talk frequently. Studies show that parents who talk with their children often about drugs, and alcohol are up to 50% less likely to use the substances.
Kids are even known to drink hand sanitizer to get high. It's cheap, and readily available. They are also more likely to use drugs than smoke cigarettes. Twelve year olds are more likely to use inhalants than marijuana or cocaine. Teen heroin use is rising in California, and other states.
With drug, and alcohol abuse rampant with our youth today, and funding for drug treatment centers, drug education, and prevention drying up, it is paramount that parents be proactive in teaching their children about risky behaviors.
The possibility is great that if you are not proactive, you may end up on the reactive side wondering how your child became an alcoholic, or drug addict right in front of your eyes.
If you or a loved one needs help with any type of drug problem, contact these sites depending on where you live. SEMCA (Wayne County residents), CARE (Macomb County residents), PACE (Oakland County residents), Drug Free Detroit (City of Detroit residents). For those residing outside the State of Michigan, contact SAMHSA for assistance. For assistance with medical marijuana contact The Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, or Michigan Medical Marijuana Certification Center.
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(Photo by Landii - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whiskey_drinker.jpg)
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Comments
I know this is true by the age of the kids or should I say children that come into the ER with alcohol related problems. The last one was eight!!
Thanks Michael for this information and for providing resources.
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