Facts
Get clear on the facts about underage drinking! Consuming alcohol before 21 years can lead to health consequences and other risks. Keep them safe by getting informed!
There is no “responsible use” of alcohol by minors. Not only does allowing minors to consume alcohol send a message that some laws are meant to be broken, but adolescent drinking may bring about a host of dangers and lifelong ramifications.
Adolescents are more susceptible to alcohol because their bodies have never processed this drug before, and their body weight is smaller than an adult’s.
Physical effects of alcohol use include:
- Impaired motor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Impaired memory
- Impaired decision making control
- Slow reaction time
- Lowered inhibitions
Long Term Health Consequences
Adolescence is critical to brain development, and many recent studies show that the brain is not fully mature until the mid-twenties. As a result, the adolescent brain is susceptible to alcohol and drugs, and addiction happens much faster.
Adolescents who drink before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. An adolescent may become addicted to alcohol in as little as 6-18 months.
Drinking alcohol during puberty has been shown to affect the maturation of the reproductive system in youth adversely.
Risks
Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to use marijuana and other drugs than youth who wait until they are 21 to drink.
Sexual Activity:
Alcohol use by teens is a strong predictor of both sexual activity and unprotected sex.
School:
Student substance use precedes and is a risk factor for academic problems, such as lower grades, absenteeism, and high dropout rates. Alcohol can interfere with a student’s ability to think, making learning and concentration more difficult and ultimately impeding academic performance.
Driving:
When young people drink and get into a car, they tend to make poor decisions that impact their safety. Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teenagers, and over one-third of teenage traffic deaths are alcohol-related.
* Information is taken directly from the Anti-Drug Campaign.
Learn more about the dangers of alcohol and all other drugs at DrugFree.org