 Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down vital functions  A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 72-proof distilled spirits  The amount of alcohol consumed determines the type of effect  Most people drink for the stimulant effect, such as a beer or glass of wine to “loosen up”  If a person consumes more than the body can handle, they experience alcohol’s depressant effect

 The average person metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about one drink per hour  Only time will sober a person up  Drinking strong coffee, exercising, or taking a cold shower will not help  The speed of absorption affects the rate at which one becomes drunk  If a person drinks faster than the alcohol can be eliminated, the drug accumulates in the body, resulting in higher levels of alcohol in the blood

 Slurred speech  Drowsiness  Vomiting  Diarrhea  Upset stomach  Headaches  Breathing difficulties  Distorted vision/hearing  Impaired judgment  Decreased perception and coordination  Unconsciousness  Anemia (loss of red blood cells)  Coma  Blackouts

 Unintentional injuries—car crashes, falls, burns, drownings  Intentional injuries—firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence  Increased family problems, broken relationships  Alcohol poisoning  High blood pressure, stroke

 Liver disease  Nerve damage  Sexual problems  Permanent brain damage  Ulcers  Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach walls)  Malnutrition  Cancer of the mouth and throat

 Research shows that young people react differently to alcohol  Teens get drunk twice as fast as adults, but have more trouble knowing when to stop  Teens naturally overdo it and binge more often than adults  Enforcing the legal drinking age of 21 reduces traffic crashes, protects young people’s maturing brains, and keeps young people safer overall******

 Some states do permit parents to do this with their own children  No evidence that this actually works  When teens feel they have their parents’ approval to drink, they do it more and more often when they are not with their parents  When parents have concrete, enforced rules about alcohol, young people binge drink less

 History says no  When states had lower legal drinking ages in the US, the underage drinking problem was worse  Before the 21 minimum drinking age was implemented by all states, underage drunk drivers were involved in over twice as many fatal traffic crashes as today  16% decline in motor vehicle crashes among underage youth in states that increased the legal drinking age to 21 years

 European countries have worse problems than America does, as far as binge drinking and drinking to intoxication  Studies show that Europe has more underage drunkenness, injury, rape, and school problems due to alcohol  Since alcohol is more available there, it actually increases the proportion of kids who drink in Europe

 Chart Chart  A 150 pound male who consumes five drinks over the course of two hours will have a BAC near 0.1  A 115 pound female who consumes four drinks over the course of two hours will also have a BAC near 0.1  At a BAC of 0.1, you and your friends are most likely drunk. Your thinking will be slowed and your vision, hearing, reaction time, movement and judgment of speed and distance will be seriously impaired.

 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Title 18  It is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, consume or transport any alcohol, liquor, malt or brewed beverages. (Sections 5505, 6307, 6308, 6309, 6310, , , 7513)  It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to lie about their age or to carry a false I.D. card to obtain alcohol, liquor, malt or brewed beverages. (Sections , )

 Anyone under 21 found driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.01% or higher will automatically lose their driving privilege for one year  Minors found driving with alcohol in their systems who don’t yet have a driver’s license will be disqualified from applying for a license for one year  Anyone under 21 who is arrested for any alcohol or drug offense will have his/her license suspended for at least one year

 It is a crime for anyone under age 18 with a blood alcohol level of 0.05% or higher to operate a motor vehicle  Anyone convicted of this crime will be sentenced and fined as an adult but will spend his/her sentence in a juvenile correctional facility/detention center  Also mandatory alcohol-education program  Court may order that all fines and fees be paid by the parent(s) of the minor

 Accountant  Architect  Chiropractor  CIA Agent  Dentist  Engineer  Funeral Director  Insurance Adjuster  Lawyer/ Attorney  Medical Doctor  Nurse  Occupational Therapy  Pharmacist  Physical Therapy  Police Officer  Psychologist  Real Estate Broker  Social Worker  Teacher  Veterinarian

 Look for these signs in a friend, OR YOURSELF!  Getting drunk on a regular basis  Lying about how much alcohol they are consuming  Having frequent hangovers  Feeling run-down, depressed or suicidal  Having blackouts or memory lapses

 Respect your decision and others will respect you for it  Real friends won’t push you to do things you don’t want to do  Hanging out with people with the same values will help make it easier to have fun without alcohol!  Values locked in at age 20

 Drug—any substance other than food that, when put into the body, changes the way the body works or the way a person thinks or feels  Abuse—the illegal, improper, or harmful use of something  Dependence—having a physical or mental “need” to use a drug or other substance regularly, despite the fact that it is likely to have a damaging effect  Addiction—a state of physical and/or mental dependence on a drug to such an extent that stopping causes severe trauma