Underage drinking is becoming more and more popular among teenagers. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 5,000 people in the United States under the age of 21 die each year due to underage drinking.
Alcohol has many short and long term effects. One of the most serious effects is that underage drinking can lead to adult alcohol dependency. Also, alcohol intoxication impairs judgment, which increase the chances of engaging in dangerous behaviors. Teenagers who begin drinking around age 15 are four times more likely to become addicted and continue into their adult years.
“Approximately 1/3 of all deaths among 15- to 24-year-olds are from traffic crashes, and in 22% of fatal crashes involving young drivers, the young driver was drinking,” Melissa Lopez states.
Statistics show most teenagers engage in underage drinking at parties and celebrations. With prom and graduation coming up, underage drinking increases. A Department of Health and Human Services national survey shows that, in 1997, nearly a third of all high school seniors reported binge drinking (five or more drinks in a row) at prom and celebrations.
If you are attending prom or an “after prom party,” remember, anything can happen, but ask yourself, Do I want to be included in these statistics?.