By Paula Peterson
The facts are startling, and, for lack of a better work, sobering. Studies show that 11% of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. is done so by youth aged 11 to 20, below the legal drinking age.
Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs according to the Center for Disease Control, and is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage youth.
The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students, during the past 30 days:
39% drank some amount of alcohol.
22% binge drank.
8% drove after drinking alcohol.
24% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
These figures don’t just reflect youth in some other state, or some other city. They also reflect activities here in the South Lake Tahoe Community.
Don’t let your friend, your neighbor, your family, become one of these statistics.
The South Lake Tahoe Drug Free Coalition along with the Youth Advisory Council are bringing teenage drinking to the forefront during the week before prom when they present Casey’s Challenge.
Casey Goodwin was just 20 years old, a leader in her high school and on her way to being a leader as an adult when she was driving home from Cuesta College near San Luis Obispo to her family home in Exeter, CA. She was driving down the road when an 18 years, who had just consumed three beers before heading to work, ran head on into Casey’s car. She died on March 13, 2003.
Casey Goodwin dedicated her young life to prevention programs, including those dealing directly with alcohol-related issues. Casey was actively involved in Friday Night Live and the California Youth Council from the time she was in elementary school until her tragic death. Moved by the loss of Casey, former classmates and CYC members wanted to take action–they wanted to address drinking and driving and underage drinking. This was the catalyst for Casey’s Pledge.
The pledge encourages youth to live a healthy lifestyle by committing their lives to staying alcohol free or never drinking and driving, and never getting into a car with a drinking driver.
With the South Tahoe Prom on May 31, the Youth Advisory Council will be having students sign Casey’s Pledge during lunch time Tuesday through Friday. They will have a table outside between the TADA building and the Student Union. The Pledge will be signed and the students will receive a yellow wrist band to remind them why they are participating.
Consequences of Underage Drinking
– Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience school problems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades.
– Social problems, such as fighting and lack of participation in youth activities.
– Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk.
– Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.
– Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.
– Disruption of normal growth and sexual development.
– Physical and sexual assault.
– Higher risk for suicide and homicide.
– Alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries, such as burns, falls, and drowning.
– Memory problems.
– Abuse of other drugs.
– Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.
– Death from alcohol poisoning.
In general, the risk of youth experiencing these problems is greater for those who binge drink than for those who do not binge drink. Youth who start drinking before age 15 years are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life than those who begin drinking at or after age 21 years.
If you have more questions or concerns, contact your school counselor, Tahoe Youth & Family Services, visit Casey’s website or talk to a friend, clergy or family member.