Teens Need Help Understanding Alcohol Now more than Ever

When Do Teenagers Drink the Most?
If you don't think your son or daughter drinks, think again. If you think your teen hasn't been exposed to drugs or alcohol, think again. Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking; this includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300 from suicide, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns, and drownings (1–5). The truth that all parents must recognize is that your child will likely be exposed to drinking while in high school and some in middle school.

What Can we do to Help the Problem?
Parents, teachers and those who are in a position to influence your son or daughter can play a vital role in their safety. Education is the key to making good choices. Teens need to better understand the risks and consequences associated with drinking, or more common in high school, "binge drinking". Adolescents tend to be the most worrisome group due to their need to gain acceptance among their peers and a higher rate of impulsive behavior. Bring drinking happens mostly by teens keen acceptance of drinking "games". Some common games that turn into binge drinking include, "quarters", card games, beer "bongs", and various other games that produce high volume drinking in short time spans.

Prom, Graduation, and Summer Spark Drinking Dangers
As the school year closes, so do the chances of teen drinking. It is estimated that almost 80% of all teenagers will drink on prom night. It is no surprise that last month marked "Alcohol Awareness Month" as this is the season for high school dances, graduations, and risky behaviors. In 2005, during Prom and Graduation Season (April, May, June), 676 students under the age of 21 were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What Can we Do to Help?
Adolescents who are most at risk will benefit from taking an educational class, commonly called an alcohol awareness class or minor in possession class. These classes can be commonly found online and taken from any location in the country with a computer and Internet access. Parents can also benefit from these programs, as they can also learn what precautions to take to better help their child from becoming a statistic. As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and teens to have a better understanding of the risks of alcohol or drug use are going to make the best and most informed decisions about their life.