1. Lower Providence Township Police Department Officer Michael Nastasi #55

2. Why teach about alcohol? Alcohol is still the drug of choice among young people 75% of the student population will have consumed alcohol by the end of High School Two fifths have done so by 8 th grade Peak years of alcohol initiation are in the 7 th and 8 th Grades

3. Minimum Drinking Age What is the legal age for alcohol in the United States? 21 Why 21? Alcohol is destructive to the body Research shows the brain keeps developing well into the twenties, during which time it continues to establish important communication connections and further refines its function

4. Alcohol involved deaths There were 10,839 drunk driving deaths in 2009. 1,398 of those deaths involved underage drivers Vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death among young people

5. Blood Alcohol Content Blood Alcohol Content is the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood Alcohol is absorbed from the stomach and small intestine by diffusion. Most absorption occurs from the small intestine due to its large surface area and rich blood supply. The rate of absorption varies with the emptying time of the stomach

6. Blood Alcohol Content Within an hour of a person’s first drink Alcohol can be measured in the bloodstream

7. What affects to Blood Alcohol Content?? The number of drinks—The more you drink, the higher your blood alcohol content How fast you drink—Consuming alcohol quickly will cause a higher BAC than when consumed over a long period of time

8. Factors for BAC Gender—Women generally have less water and more bodyfat per pound of bodyweight than men Alcohol does not enter fat cells as easily as other cells. This causes more alcohol to remain in the blood of women Weight—The more you weigh the more water is present in your body. This dilutes the alcohol and lowers BAC

9. BAC Factors Food in the stomach—If there is food in the stomach, the alcohol competes with the food during the digestive process. Food only slows the absorption of alcohol, it does not eliminate it.

12. BAC & Impairment. 01-.06% mild relaxation & sedation; some minor impairment of reasoning & memory; slight decrease in reaction time and fine muscle coordination..07-.10% slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time & hearing; may not recognize impairment..11-.20% significant impairment of motor coordination & loss of judgment; speech may be slurred; difficulty walking; clear deterioration of reaction time; appearance of a “sloppy drunk”..21-.29% loss of motor control; feeling confused or otherwise disoriented; may need help standing or walking; nausea & vomiting; memory blackouts; pain perception low..30-.39% severe intoxication; minimal conscious control of mind & body; pass out suddenly & difficult to awaken; onset of coma; require hospitalization..40 > Unconscious/ coma; possible death due to respiratory arrest.

13. The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about 1 drink per hour. It takes a 120lb female approximately 5 hours to get completely sober after only two drinks. It takes a 160lb male approximately 3 hours to get completely sober after only two drinks.

14. Pennsylvania Laws Crimes Associated w/Underage Drinking Section 6308 Purchase, Consumption, Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages A person is guilty of a summary offense if he, being less than 21 years of age, attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses and/or transports any liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

15. PENALTY 1 st Offense > $300 fine, 90 day license suspension 2 nd Offense > $500, 1 year license suspension 3 rd offense > $500, 2 year license suspension If you are under sixteen, the suspension begins on your 16 th birthday.

16. Driving Under the Influence Section 3802(e) DUI - Minors Pennsylvania is a zero tolerance state. Zero tolerance – a minor caught driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood can be arrested for driving under the influence. The blood alcohol content for a minor is.02% or higher.

17. Why Zero Tolerance? Each year, about 1,600 Pennsylvania drivers under 21 are involved in alcohol-related crashes. In your first few years of driving, you are still learning to handle the demands of the road. A good driver needs clear vision, sound judgment and reasoning, quick reflexes and solid concentration. Drinking, even a small amount, messes up all these skills.

18. What’s the penalty for a minor convicted of driving under the influence with a.02% BAC or higher? 48 hours – 6 months jail time 12 month license suspension $500 - $5,000 fines Alcohol Highway Safety School Court Reporting Network (CRN) drug and alcohol evaluation Community service

19. Refusal or Repeat Offender A minor with higher BAC’s and those who refuse to take a chemical test face even stiffer penalties. If you’re convicted more than once, the fines, suspensions and jail time all increase. In addition, an ignition interlock device must be installed your vehicle for a period of one year.

20. Standard Field Sobriety Tests Standard field sobriety tests are used by the police to determine an individual’s level of impairment. One-Leg-Stand & Heel-to-Toe Tests: “divided attention” tests that are easy to perform by most sober individuals. The goal is to require the individual to both listen and follow instructions while performing simple physical movements. Preliminary Breath Test (PBT)