April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a new teen study just released has teen drug (including drinking) use trending in a negative direction.
Downing five or more alcoholic drinks nearly every day isn't seen as a big problem for many of the nation's teens, says a new report.
According to the report:
Teens See Little Risk in Heavy Drinking; Parents Feel They Can’t Stop Risky Behavior
Weak perceptions of risk and a perceived “normalization” of underage drinking underlie the PATS survey data on adolescent alcohol use.
- Almost half of teens (45 percent) reported they do not see a “great risk” in heavy daily drinking.
- Only 31 percent of teens strongly disapprove of teens and peers their age getting drunk.
- A majority of teens, seven out of 10 (73 percent), report having friends who drink alcohol at least once a week.
While the number one reason teens reported using alcohol is that they think “it’s fun to drink” (60 percent), a significant number of teens reported using alcohol to deal with stress.
As communities, schools and parents continue to be proactive in educating teens and kids about the risks and dangers of drugs and alcohol, it seems teens still believe they are invulnerable. It is time to step it up and create stronger campaigns against substance abuse.
The Partnership at Drugfree.org is an organization that is taking action. With resources such as Time to Get Help, offers valuable information and tools for parents, teens and educators. Watch the video on the sidebar.
PACT Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County is dedicated to making St. Johns County a healthy substance-free community for our youth through prevention, advocacy, choices and teamwork. For more information about PACT Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County call (904) 829-6261 or visit www.pactprevention.org.
PACT has just released KNOW THE LAW, a guide for youth and parents. Download it today.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer parent.
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