Sarah Girgis

 5000 people under the age of 21 die each year as a result of drinking. 8 teens die everyday in alcohol related car crashes.  Underage drinking costs more than 58 billion dollars per year.  Americans drink the heaviest in their teens to mid-twenties. Alcohol use declines after that.  3/4 th High school seniors report consuming an alcoholic beverage prior to graduating high school  Teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop an alcohol addiction than those who do not begin drinking before the legal age of 21.

 40 % of all alcohol related fatal car crashes involve teens.  Alcohol is known as the “gateway drug” into more serious drug use.  Everyday 11,318 teens alcohol for the first time.  Underage drinkers account for 11.4% of all alcohol consumed in the U.S  1 st sign that a teen has a drinking problem is performance at school. Grades drop, unexcused absences, trouble concentrating in class, dropouts, difficulty with peer relationships and authority figure.

 Teen livers are more prone to seizures blackouts and alcohol poisoning.  Alcohol slows down brain development. Area of the brain affected by alcohol is responsible for planning, organizing and other functions that are critical for considering the consequences of actions and responding to stress.  Effects growth hormones  Cause severe depression

Ages  42%  40% male, 43 female  44% Latino  46% white  31% African American  18% Asian/Pacific Islander Ages %  49% male, 28% female  39% Latino  51% White  29% African American  32% Asian

 Parents who simply talk to teens about the use of alcohol can reduce the risk of their children drinking. (Kafka and London 1991)  Children with strong bonds to social group with anti-alcohol norms will less likely use alcohol. (Bahr et. Al, 1995)  Factors within families can promote deviant behaviors. (Conger and Rueter, 1996)

 To promote community consensus about underage drinking.  Enforce parent-child relations using positive reinforcement, listening and communication skills, and problem solving.

 Comprehensive program that targets 6 th -12 th graders  Once a month have a community meeting (schools encourage children, parents, and teachers to attend).  Meetings will offer one on one counseling as well as group counseling.  Activities to get children involved and motivated.  Ensure all schools within the districted are participating.  Meetings will provide teachers with interactive teaching techniques such as role playing, discussions, and small group activities to promote student interactions.

 df df  about-alcoholism.com  Kafka, R. R., & London, P. (1991). Communication in relationships and adolescent substance use: The influence of parents and friends. Adolescence, 26,  Bahr, S. J., Marcos, A. C., Maughan, S. L. (1995). Family, educational and peer influences on the alcohol use of female and male adolescents. J. Stud. Alcohol 56:457–469.  Conger, R.D., & Rueter, M.A. (1996). Siblings, parents, and peers: A longitudinal study of social influences in adolescent risk for alcohol use and abuse. In G.H. Brody (Ed.), Sibling relationships: Their causes and consequences. Advances in applied developmental theory(pp. 1-30). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corp.