Underage Binge Drinking Increased by More Than Fifty Percent

About this time every year millions of American teenagers are going to their high school prom, going on a senior class trip, graduating from high school or possibly all three.  This is a time of year when teenagers start getting excited about the summer and maybe even a little anxious about the life ahead of them.

For many of these occasions alcohol is often prevalent, whether it's pre- or post-graduation parties, trips to warm sunny beaches or staying in hotels after the big dance.  Unfortunately the alcohol adds more than just hangovers to the mix.

According to the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY), approximately 7.2 million young people between the ages of 12 and 20 are binge drinkers (consuming five or more alcoholic beverages), increasing more than 50% over the last eight years.  That number is the equivalent to roughly 4 billion drinks per year, or about 16% of the total U.S. alcohol market.  Clearly the alcohol industry's ads targeted at teenagers are working.

Intoxication breads promiscuity and unprotected sex, and it is estimated that teenage girls who binge drink are up to 63% more likely to become teen mothers.

For many of the young people that moved on to other drugs tried their first illicit drug while they were intoxicated, whether it was cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD or something else.

What's worse is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports close to 60% of traffic fatalities during this time of year have been alcohol-related.

This behavior is continuing to destroy the social fabric of our civilization and parents condoning it by providing alcohol for their children are only contributing to the downfall.  Most kids can't make responsible drinking decisions like some adults do.  In addition, their bodies aren't fully developed or equipped to handle the poison when it is ingested.  These are important things to remember, as careless decisions are often made in this regard.

With the billions of dollars produced by under-age drinking, it isn't likely that there will be an ethical decision made by alcoholic beverage companies to decrease advertising unless enforced.  In order to actually create a decline the in the percentage of any substance abuse statistics, effective programs are needed in all areas, including reduced media glamorization, more prevention and education, smart law enforcement and true rehabilitation. 

The average age at which young people begin to drink is 13 years old.  At some point we have to make a stand for our children's lives.

To find out more about underage drinking statistics visit www.camy.org.

For more information about alcohol and other drug abuse or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.  Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation's largest and most successful drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation programs, using the proven drug-free social methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

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