underage drinking prevention

Youth who drank alcohol in the past month were given alcohol for free (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008): - 45% of youth ages 12-14 - 30% by an adult member of their family - 15% by taking alcohol from their own home

• More than one out of 20 youth ages 12 – 17 suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence in Oregon about 19,000 youth (Oregon Department of Human Services, Addictions & Mental Health Division).

Consequences:

• Rather than "outgrowing" alcohol use, young abusers are significantly more likely to have a drinking problem as an adult.

• Research shows that young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life
• Leads to risky sexual behavior, including unwanted, unintended, and unprotected sexual activity, and sex with multiple partners
• Increases the risk of physical and sexual assault
• Is associated with academic failure
• Is associated with illicit drug use
• Is associated with tobacco use
• Can negatively affect brain development, including memory and decision-making skills
• Can cause a range of physical consequences, from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning
• Creates secondhand effects that can put others at risk. For example, about 45 percent of people who die in crashes involving a drinking driver under the age of 21 are people other than the driver.
• In conjunction with pregnancy, may result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome, which remains a leading cause of mental retardation
• Is a major risk factor for heavy drinking later in life

Source: Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H. – Call to Action against Underage Drinking.