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By: Emperatriz A. Sanchez Elibeth Acosta Karina Jimenez 4th Year Morning Session
Date: Friday, June 25th, 2010
INTRODUCTION
Alcohol is a drug, as surely as
cocaine and marijuana are, and for many of our country's young people, alcohol is the number one drug of choice. In fact, teens use alcohol more frequently and heavily than all other illicit drugs combined. While some parents may feel relieved that their teen is "only" drinking, it's important to remember that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug.
Underage Drinking
Why adolescents drink What are the risks Legal Drinking age and how
Why adolescents
drink
Alcohol is the drug of
choice among youth. Many young people are experiencing the consequences of drinking too much, at too early age. As a result, underage drinking is a leading public health problem in many countries.
fact remains that in all cultures where alcohol is used, drinking is an essential element of celebration. This requires explanation: why should alcohol, rather than any other substance, be the universal symbol of festivity? The answer requires an understanding of the underlying social functions of celebration, and their relation to the symbolic and pharmacological properties of alcohol.
Brain Effects: A significant impact on longterm thinking and memory skills. Liver Effects: Elevated liver enzymes, indicating some degree of liver damage, have been found in some adolescents who drink alcohol. Growth and Endocrine Effects: hormonal changes, Drinking alcohol during this period of rapid growth and development (i.e., prior to or during puberty) may upset the critical hormonal balance necessary for normal development of organs, muscles, and bones.
unpredictable ways, but teens lack the judgment and coping skills to handle alcohol wisely. Some of the catastrophic results of teen drinking include: adolescents. A recent study by the National Institute of Health presents the first concrete evidence that protracted, heavy alcohol use can impair brain function in adolescents, causing, in many cases, irreversible damage.
death and disability among teens. Alcohol use also is linked with the deaths of young people by drowning, fire, suicide and homicide.
active at earlier ages, to have sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex more than teens who do not drink.
victims of violent crime, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. school work and school conduct.
times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol.
Special difficulties enforcing the MLDA in the college setting Many campuses are surrounded by a concentration of bars and clubs that cater to college students. The MLDA is weakly and unevenly enforced, and the availability and use of high-quality fake IDs is widespread.
Difficulties enforcing the MLDA in all areas Almost all places sell alcohol without requesting IDs unless you enter a club or casino.
Sexual behavior: adolescents suggest that alcohol use is associated with risky sexual behavior and increased vulnerability to coercive sexual activity.
Extracurricular strategies
Better development of life skills Decreased involvement in risky behaviors, such as drug use
Family Strategies
Monitoring children's activities during adolescence Strengthening family bonding.
Policy Strategies
Increasing the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Enforcement of Laws
CONCLUSION
Instead of focusing on age, should consider: Promoting consistence policy across different levels Promote Responsible drinking Engaging parents, schools, communities, government, social systems, and youth in the process Promoting understanding of underage drinking across environmental, ethnic, cultural, and gender differences Other related issues: teen driving and transportation