UNDERAGE DRIVING
...released in September 2005 http://www.centurycouncil.org/press/2005/pr2005-09-08.html B) According to Yaerd.org, “ Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people 15 to 20 years of age. For underage persons, the effects of alcohol in combination with novice level driving skills can be a deadly combination. Yeard. Org http://www.yaerd.org/under21.htm C) Approximately, 10.7 million Americans between ages 12-20 report current alcohol use.” Of these youth, nearly 7.2 million (19%) were binge drinkers and 2.3 (6%) were heavy drinkers. Furthermore, more males than females aged 12 to 20 reported binge drinking in 2002 (22% and 17%, respectively). “ Century Council http://www.centurycouncil.org/underage/65_data.html D) Almost 50% of adolescents have had at least one drink by the time they have reached eight grade. While about 20% of adolescents have experienced being drunk. A many as 50 percent of 12th graders have used alcohol within the past month. As 30% of the same 12th graders have engaged in what is commonly known as binge drinking. Binge drinking is described as drinking at least five or more alcoholic beverages on one time within the last 2 weeks. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism ( NIAAA) http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/factsheet.htm E ) Statistics Death: 1,400 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes. Injury: 500,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol. Assault: More than 600,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. Sexual Abuse: More than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape. Unsafe Sex: 400,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 have unprotected sex and more than 100,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex. Academic Problems: About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall. Health Problems/Suicide Attempts: More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem and between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use. Drunk Driving: 2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 report driving under the influence of alcohol last year. Vandalism: About 11 percent of college students report that they have damaged property while under the influence of alcohol. Property Damage: More than 25 percent of administrators from schools with relatively low drinking levels and over 50 percent from schools with high drinking levels say their campuses have a "moderate" or "major" problem with alcohol-related property damage. Police Involvement: About 5 percent of 4-year college students are involved with the police or campus security as a result of their drinking. An estimated 110,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are arrested for an alcohol-related violation such as public drunkenness or driving under the influence. Alcohol Abuse and Dependence: 31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months, according to questionnaire-based self-reports about their drinking Article : What Parents Need To Know About College Drinking ( NIAAA College Material ) http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/NIAAACollegeMaterials/parentBrochure.aspx 3. Explain the causes of the problem. The question we should be asking is why do underage people drink? Although many of us believe it to be peer pressure or just for fun we see that their may be other reasons for this epidemic. A ) “ Some researchers...