| |
|
|
Parents are the most critical "anti-drug" in preventing underage drinking
Survey after survey reports the large majority of middle and high school age teens declare the attitude of their parents about underage drinking is the single most important factor in their decision whether or not to drink. Talk to your children early and often - your voice makes a difference.
Fun of being drunk in your head, not the bottle
Studies report teens consistently overestimate alcohol usage by peers, negatively influencing their belief about "drinking expectations." New study finds that challenging those beliefs about the rewards of drinking can reduce both the quanity and frequency of consumption. Read more.
Cost of underage drinking in North Carolina
In 2010, underage drinking cost North Carolina more than $1.5 billion to offset alcohol-related costs of harm related to teen health care, crime and other costs. Read more.
Cost of underage drinking to the nation
In 2010, underage drinking related harm costs to the nation are conservatively estimated to be in excess of $62 billion annually. Read more.
'Town and Gown' collaboration required to address serious underage drinking
In university communities like Chapel Hill, excessive underage drinking has become a part of town culture. For the sake of local youths, and with collegiate alcohol-related death and poisonings at record levels, it doesn't have to be this way. But reducing this dangerous drinking requires a mutual collaboration between town and university leaders. Read more.
Children and prescriptive drugs
Recreational use of prescriptive drugs by children has risen dramatically, along with the dangers associated with misuse. Daily 2000 children use recreational prescriptive drugs for the first time, and 2/3 report obtaining drugs from family and friends. With the family home an easy target of access for children, it's critical that adults safely secure or dispose of their prescriptive medications. Read more.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Most adolescents have unsupervised access to prescriptive meds at home
A study of 8th and 9th graders appearing in the Journal of Adolescent Health reports that the vast majority of adolescents have "unsupervised access" to prescriptive drugs in the family home or the home of others. The report concludes the "critical" importance of parents properly storing and disposing of medications which may be subject to abuse. Read more.
Early age drinking linked to later life alcohol problems
Though long asserted by medical health and research experts, a recent study concludes that the earlier the age a person takes their first drink of alcohol, the more likely they will develop alcohol problems later in life. Read more.
Underage drinking at home - debunking the myths
Many experts assert that underage drinking is an "adult" problem. Some parents provide alcohol to their children or allow them to drink at home. Though done under the misguided belief they are teaching their children to drink "responsibly," they actually have increased the likelihood their child will become an excessive drinker. Read more.
CDC: Binge drinking increasing among older adults
In what can only be described as bad public health news, with long-range implications, the CDC reports that binge drinking among older adults is increasing. Alcohol is a known carcinogen, and third-leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.. Read more.
Renowned psychiatrist urges parents to take action early to protect their children
To prevent or reduce the likelihood of childhood use of alcohol or other drugs, Dr. John Sharp, a distinguished faculty member at both the Harvard Medical School and UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, asserts that the role of the parent is "critical." He adds, "You can influence the behavior of your loved one." Parents talking with their children about drug use "early and often" is the key. Read more.
Tobacco ads spark youths to use tobacco products
Like alcohol ads influence teens to use alcohol products, a new study finds that youth exposure to tobacco ads enhances teen risk of starting to smoke. The World Health Organizations urges a total ban of tobacco advertising. Read more.
College binge drinking more likely among females than males
Reflecting the troubling rise in abusive drinking among females, a new reports that female collegians are more likely to binge drink than their male counterparts. Concerns about long-term female alcohol-related health problems continue to rise. Read more.
Top 10 myths about teen drinking
Adult mythical beliefs about teen drinking are a contributing factor to the serious public health crisis of teen drinking. These myths often become obstacles to preventing teen alcohol-related harms and abuse. Read more.
Study: Children with strong relationship with parents at reduced risk of abusing prescriptive drugs
With many youths turning to abuse of prescriptive drugs to get high, a newly released study reports that teens with a stong relationship with parents, along with a positive relationship with schools and teachers, are at reduced risk of abuse. Read more.
Study: one-fourth of parents believe they have no influence over teen use of alcohol and other drugs
In what can only be described as good news for the alcohol industry and bad news for children, a new study reports that nearly 25 percent of parents believe they have no influence over the decision of their teen to use alcohol or other drugs. Many report not even talking to their children about use. Earlier studies reported that parents are the most influential person in a teens decision to drink. Read more.
Latest bizarre youth trend for alcohol-related high
In yet another "incredibly risky" manner of consuming or ingesting alcohol, some youths are now smoking alcohol. Health experts are sounding the along about this very dangerous practice, contending it is more likely to result in alcohol poisoning than other forms of excessive drinking. Read more.
Energy drink use continues to rise, despite warnings
Despite warnings regarding health and safety concerns, even deaths, associated with energy drinks, use continues to rise, particularly among young consumers. Read more.
Females continue dramatic rise in heavy drinking
Identifed by some researchers as one of the nation's most profound societal changes, rise in heavy or abusive drinking among females continues to cause alarm and public health concerns. Starting early, 12- to 17-year old girls now reportedly drink more than similar age boys. Read more.
More children reported as "accidentally" poisoned by adult medications.
The growing national concern over the danger prescriptive drugs pose to youths has grown with reports of the of alarming rise in poisoning of children associated with accidental use of adult medications. Read more.
35% of "designated drivers" drink while on driving duty
Think young drinkers are safe with a designated driver? Though often identified as the "responsible" practice to avoid the dangers associated with drinking and driving, a new study reports that more than one-third of those "designated drivers" drink while on driving duty. Many have blood-alcohol concentrations high enough to impair their driving. Read more.
The public is often influenced by media reporting, even when those reports are dead wrong. Read More.
Peer pressure can influence people of all ages, but it's particularly influential on teens. Learn more about the influence of peer pressure, both positive and negative, and its influence upon teen use of alcohol and other drugs. Read more.
With recent marijuana legalization success in several states, investors are exploring the marketplace, with significant increase in use projected. Researchers concerned about growing teen use, along with short- and long-term health consequences. Read more.
CDC reports that drug-related fatalities increased by 3 percent. While most of the increased deaths are related to painkillers, the latest fad drug of youths, researchers concerned about the growing teen abuse of illicit and prescriptive drugs. Read more.
With prescription drug abuse reaching epidemic proportions, health experts have assembled to discuss this public health crisis and prevention solutions. Securing or disposing of unused drugs in the family home a good place to start. Read more.
A father of a teen passenger killed in an alcohol-related car crash challenges adults seeking to repress media reporting of the event. Encourages adults to aggressively pursue policies and reporting that may prevent future teen harm from alcohol. Read more.
Medical science confirms the real public health danger of underage drinking. But underage drinkers cause harm to others in their community because of their drinking. Adults should stop defending or enabling teen drinking. Read more.
When it comes to effectiveness in reducing dangerous high-risk drinking, the common sense method is one of the most effective. Parents are the anti-drug for their children, but those conversations must begin before their child reaches the college campus. Believe it or not, children do listen to what their parents say about this issue. Read more.
With alcohol use the 3rd-leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., nearly 20,000 people die annually from alcohol-related cancer. There is no safe threshhold for alcohol and cancer risk. Read more.
Proponents of marijuana legalization often argue the merits of its use in medical care. Researchers have now developed a patch to deliver THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. Researchers say the patch delivers THC more effectively, without the adverse effects. Read more.
With ease of access and false belief about product safety, high school teens, looking for another way to get "high," have embraced "Spice" and other synthetic drugs. Public health reports reveal real product dangers. Read more.
Though illicit, synthetic marijuana, or "Spice" is the 2nd most abused drug among high school seniors. Though labeled "not for human consumption," they are marketed and sold only for that purpose to their youth target. Unregulated for quality control, extreme health emergencies are commonly reported. Read more.
"Drunkorexia," a term used to describe females who reduce caloric intake from food to accommodate alcohol intake, are a particular target of the alcohol industry with their weight-conscious marketing directed at them. Placing profit before public health, food avoidance to accommodate acohol intake, makes young females particularly vulnerable to a variety of harms. Read more.
Businesses looking to strike it rich on marijuana legalization wave
Like tobacco and alcohol, and placing profit before public health, many new and emerging businesses see the recent wave of state marijuana legalizations as a financial opportunity. Health experts assert that all of these products are addictive, and come with significant short- and long-term health risks and costs. Read more.
Energy drinks linked to change in heart rhythms
With the growing concern among health experts about the use of energy drinks, particularly by youths, a new study reports that use of energy drink boosts blood pressure and may make the heart susceptible to electrical short-circuit. Heart-related deaths following use have been reported. Read more.
1 in 5 teen girls regularly binge drinks
In the aftermath of the Stubenville, Ohio teen drinking party rape of an extremely intoxicated 16-year old girl, columnist says that teen binge drinking is a toxic ingredient of this youth tragedy that adults can no longer continue to ignore. Read more.
Marijuana legalization proponents deny health harms for use
Following the model of the tobacco industry before it and the alcohol industry today, marijuana legalization proponents deny the health risks associated with its use. As with the staggering harm costs now known to exist with the other products, harm costs associated with marijuana use likely to be passed on to others, including non-users. Read more.
Abuse of Alcohol costs nation $235 billion annually
NIH reports that alcohol abuse annually costs the nation $235 billion in costs to deal with the harms associated with crime, lost workplace productivity, and healthcare. Other studies report underage drinking costs North Carolina $1.5 billion annually in related harms, and costs the nation more than $62 billion. Read more.
Today's marijuana "no longer doable"
With some contending marijuana sold today is "off the scale" for public use, alarm among health experts is rising. Even some former users claim todays product is "no longer doable." Medical and healthcare professionals continue to sound the alarm as states consider legalization, fearing, like alcohol, the easy access for children. Read more.
'Monster Energy' agrees to label caffeine content on container
After a series of deaths attributed to use of Monster Energy (marketed as a dietary supplement), the manufacturer now agrees to label caffeine content information on the container. Heavy marketed to youths, Monster Energy and other similar manufacturers have been implicated in numerous deaths nationwide. Medical experts very concerned about the public health dangers associated with use of these products. Read more.
Where small children acquire the prescription medicines that poison them
While the family medicine cabinet is a primary location older 'tweens' and teens acquire prescription medicines, smaller children tend to find those that poison them in easy-to-see locations, like purses, countertops, floors and more. Read more.
Wake-up call for colleges and universities - Injured student sues frat for allowing underage drinking
With collegian alcohol-related deaths, poisonings and injury at record levels, many assert it is just a matter of time before lawsuits are filed against collegiate institutions for lack of response or effort to reduce known alcohol threat on their campuses. An injured collegian now sues a fraternity for allowing the underage drinking he alleges is responsible for his serious injuries. Read more.
Study: Risk of harm from alcohol use outweighs contention of potential benefit
Some assert that limited health benefits exist from the moderate use of alcohol, though that research also finds any such benefit is lost by more that moderage use (1 drink for an of-legal-drinking age adult female or 2 drinks for an of-legal-drinking age adult male). A new study concludes, even with moderage use, the evidence of alcohol-related harmful effects from use outweigh any supposed beneficial effect. Read more.
Television ads may be driving teens to drink, study says
Exposure to television alcohol ads may influence teens to drink, says a Claremont Graduate University study. Showing that advertising has a significant correlation to teen alcohol use, this is particularly true among young girls. Earlier studies reported that the alcohol industry heavily targets young girls, and recent research finds a dramatic rise in abusive drinking among them. Read more.
Some parents use drug-sniffing dogs to detect teen drug stash
With the rise in teen marijuana use, coupled with growing concerns about the effects of state legalization efforts on easy teen access, some parents are no longer passive or complacent. Some have resorted to use of drug-sniffing dogs to locate hidden drug stash of their children. Read more.
Study: Anheuser-Busch winning the battle of the brands as teen drinking favorite
Alcohol use by teens tends to be concentrated among a relatively small number of brands, though Anheuser-Busch is the clear favorite among teens. Researchers urge closer look by policy makers, with other findings that teens are being targeted by alcohol industry advertising and promotions. Read more.
2 Ohio teens found guilty of rape
2 star high schools athletes were found guilty by an Ohio juvenile court judge of rape, which occurred after an alcohol-fueled teen party. Both were sentenced to juvenile custody. This story is a sad reminder of the terrible impact alcohol had on the life of the female victim and her 2 youthful attackers. Read more.
Alcohol and other drug use impact health and future of collegians
Excessive drinking among collegians is often reported, but other research reports that collegiate drinking and other drug use has an impact upon individual mental health, academic performance and future employment. 25% of drinking collegians report a negative academic consequence associated with their drinking. Read more.
Study: Middle School dating comes with a high cost
A University of Georgia study reports that middle school students who date are more likely to be a poor student, drop out of school and use alcohol and other drugs. Read more.
Children and prescriptive drug abuse
Daily 2000 children use prescriptive drugs for the first time for non-medical purposes (in other words, to get high), and, like alcohol, two-thirds of them obtain the drugs from family members and friends. If not secured, the family medicine cabinet is as easy target. Read more.
Wisconsin "booziest" state in the nation
With easy alcohol access and low alcohol taxes, Wisconsin also has the worst binge drinking rate in the nation and a $6.8 billion cost of harm tab to show for it. Read more.
UT creates Greek Life Task Force to address campus drinking
Comprised of students, university staff and alumi, the University of Tennessee, concerned about serious campus drinking incidents, has created a task force to address the issue. Concerns put into action are occurring on campuses across the nation, as patience among college administrators exhausted. Read more.
Alcohol Free Weekend for Adults
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has announced April 5-7 as an Alcohol Free Weekend. The purpose is to raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and how it may affect individuals, families, businesses and communities. It's an invitation for all adults to join in three alcohol free days. Read more.
Surgeon General: Consequences of underage drinking harm astonishing
As the teen drug-of-choice, Surgeon General concludes that the short- and long-term consequences of underage drinking are astonishing in their range and magniture. Read more.
18- to 20-year olds in U.S. have highest rate of alcohol dependence
Though they cannot lawfully purchase, possess or consume alcohol, 18- to 20-year olds have the highest rate of alcohol dependence of any age group in the U.S. Predictor of long-term public health problem. Read more.
Study: U.S. teens have highest rates of alcohol and other drug abuse
Study finds that U.S. teens have some of the riskiest health behaviors in the world, with highest rates of alcohol and other drug abuse in the western world. Adolescents exposed to greater health harms. Read more.
New Mexico attacks drunk driving problem
With one of the nation's highest rates of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, the state legislature is aggressively seeking to reduce this alcohol-related harm with new legislation. New bill would prohibit convicted drunk driver of future alcohol purchases anywhere, making it the most restrictive in the nation. Read more.
States legislatures getting more aggressive in attacking underage drinking
Demonstrating a rising level of national concern over the serious health and behavioral problems associated with teen drinking, Utah has joined a growing list of states taking aggressive action against problematic businesses who serve or sell alcohol to teens. Read more.
Dramatic increase in prescriptive pain meds abuse among young people
New study appearing in the Journal of Adolescent Health reports on the alarming rise in prescriptive pain medication abuse among young people, ages 15- to 29 years old. Mostly white and mostly children of early age privilege and opportunity. Read more.
Prescriptive drug abuse epidemic moving into western states
Growing prescriptive drug abuse epidemic, already established in southern and eastern states, is now moving into western states. Public health officials express rising concern about the short- and long-term health consequences to abusers. Read more.
Study: Abuse of prescriptive drugs most prevalent among the most privileged during adolescence
Causing some to re-assess the consequences of privilege among "cornicopia kids," new research reports that the abuse of prescriptive drugs is most prevalent among those most privileged at an early age. "Indulged, coddled, pressured and micromanaged..," said a psychologist. Research has long shown that extreme alcohol abuse among 18- to 24-year olds is most common among collegians (the most privileged), while abuse among non-students is declining. Fascinating piece. Read more.
Colorado reports increase in child usage of marijuana since state legalization
"In high school, it has gotten out of hand," says student. The result most feared by researchers and prevention advocates now seem to be reality. Drug testing in Colorado since legalization shows significant spike in child usage of marijuana. Some describe observing people walking down public streets smoking marijuana. Read more.
Study: Random drug testing may help reduce substance abuse among middle schoolers
As hard as it is to grasp, middle schoolers do abuse drugs, alcohol, prescriptive and illicit. One survey reported that prescriptive drugs have become the drug-of-choice among 12- and 13-year olds. A recent study finds that random drug testing of middle schoolers may reduce their substance use. Read more.
Study: Alcohol hard to regulate on social media
Though researchers have long-concluded that the alcohol industry specifically targets teens with their advertising, new study concludes such advertising is very difficult to
regulate on social media, a primary youth communication medium. Teens often boast of the fantasized wonders of personal drunkeness, extolling alcohol products, in a way even the industry would dare not do. Read more.
More than two-thirds of people who began using drugs during past year started with marijuana
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence report estimates that 3.1 million people age 12 and over used a drug other than alcohol for the first time during the past year. More than 2/3 of those who began such first-time use started their abuse by using marijuana. Read more
12th grader use of marijuana and cigarettes
National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 12th grader percentage use of marijuana the highest in 10 years, while use of cigarettes the lowest. Researchers concerned that several recent state legalization successes will lead to dramatic increase in marijuana use among teens because of easier access and seeming adult approval. Read more.
Researchers hit back at alcohol industry attacks on their work
The global alcohol industry has a history of lauching a strong and swift negative response to most research findings contrary to their financial interests. Now some researchers, defending the credibility of their work, are striking back. Read more.
Nearly 1 in 13 in U.S. has drinking problem
A Harvard University study reports that nearly 1 in 13 people over the age of 12 in the U.S. has a drinking problem. Other recent studies report the enormous global impact of the health harms (3rd leading cause of disease and injury) from alcohol use. Behavoral harm costs likewise enormous. Read more.
Alcohol use affects virtually every body part
While some extol the heart health benefits of alcohol, those benefits are lost when consumption involves more than a minimal amount of alcohol. 90 percent of alcohol consumed by teens occurs while binge drinking. Alcohol affects virtually every body part, and this impact is particularly problematic for still-developing teen drinkers. For teens, there is no such thing as a safe drink. Read more.
American Academy of Pediatrics urges members to not miss the opportunity to talk with teens about alcohol use
The AAP, a strong voice against underage alcohol use, urges its member to talk with their teen patients about alcohol use and the many health dangers associated with it. Members are urged not to allow such opportunities to be lost, reducing effectiveness of important public health underage drinking prevention efforts. Read more.
Study: Alcohol problems the least treated of all mental health issues
The National Institutes of Health reports that less than 25 percent of people with alcohol problems receive treatment, making it the least treated of all mental health issues. American Academy of Pediatrics has urged member physicians to talk with teen patients about alcohol use and dangers. Failing to do so is a missed opportunity. Read more.
Former DEA chiefs call for challenge to state marijuana legalization laws
A U.N. agency and former DEA chief's are calling upon the federal government to challenge state laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Drug and public health experts report grave concerns that legalization will, in addition, particularly pose a threat to 'tweens' and teens, with easier drug access. Read more.
Things parents do that may encourage teen alcohol or other drug use
With plenty of blame to go around as a contributing cause of underage alcohol or other drug use, it's critical that parents, as the anti-drug, talk to their children early and often. But things parents do outside those conversations may actually encourage the abuse of alcohol or other drugs by their children. Read more.
Alcohol cause mores than 200 different diseases and injuries
Alcohol now ranks third behind high blood pressure and tobacco smoking in the global burden of disease and injury. It's reported that the many health harms, particularly upon the still-developing teen body, are large and growing. Read more.
Nebraska lawmakers consider increasing alcohol tax to reduce product harms
As the burden upon State's related to the health and behavioral harms continue to mount, lawmakers in Nebraska are considering an increase in the alcohol tax. Price increases on alcohol have been effective in reducing consumption among teens and problematic adult drinkers. Read more.
Alcohol is the third-leading cause of global death and injury
Though the majority of adults do not drink alcohol, new study concludes that alcohol is the third-leading cause of global injury and death. Alcohol kills more teens than all other drugs combined, and on-going medical research continues to document more health harms associated with the use of this addictive and carcinogenic drug. Read more.
Teen driving deaths increase dramatically in 2012
The Governor's Highway Safety Association reported that teen driving deaths increased dramatically in 2012. Inexperienced drivers, easily distracted by other circumstances, long known to be a significant driving risk. Mixing combination of driver inexperience with alcohol consumption inexperience particularly risky. Read more.
Alcohol use a major preventable cause of cancer and years of potential life lost
Like tobacco product before it, a new study concludes that alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of cancer and years of potential life lost. Alcohol is a significant risk factor for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and liver. Other recent studies report alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the colon, rectum and female breast. Read more.
Underage drinkers prefer the same brands
Demonstrating the power of targeting teens with their advertising, several malt beverage manufacturers (particularly Anheuser-Busch) capture large portion of the underage drinking market. With more than 900 brands, 25 of them profit enormously by teen drinking, accounting for 50 percent of teen malt beverage consumption. Read more.
"Enablers" take away incentive for users to stop or alter their behavior
Some parents defend or excuse teen drinking. Even if well-intended, enabling the risky and/or dangerous behaviors of users, including teen drinkers, by minimizing or removing consequences for those behaviors eliminates user incentive to change. Ironically, the enabler suffers the effects of the users behavior. Read more.
Teens more likely to accept drug use if parents admit their own use
Honesty may not always be the best policy. New study concludes that teens are less like to reject drug use, even with parental cautionary prohibition, when parents also acknowledge their own past or present drug use. Read more.
FTC requires "alcohol facts panel" for alcohol energy drink deceptive marketer
Teen favorite Four Loko will be required to place an "alcohol facts panel" on each container to alert consumers of the amount of alcohol contained in each single-serving container (earlier considered up to 5 drinks of alcohol per container). Racked by allegations of deceptive marketing from governmental officials, health experts and prevention advocates, product maker, Phusion Projects, relented to government pressure. Many advocates consider the "panel" a weak response, arguing instead that the product should have been banned. Read More.
Alcohol industry blames parents, not its ads, for underage drinking
Continuing its long stream of denial, the alcohol industry denies its ads (research to the contrary notwithstanding) influence teens to drink. Instead, the industry continues to point the finger of blame directly at parents. Regardless, with teens accounting for 20 percent of alcohol sales, the industry profits handsomely. There's plenty of blame to go around for causing the serious public health threat of underage drinking. Read more.
Study: Alcohol responsible for 4 percent of U.S. cancer deaths
Though the medical community often fails to emphasize the health risks associated with alcohol use, a new study reports that alcohol is responsible for 4 percent of the cancer deaths annually in the U.S. Though many more people die in the U.S. from all alcohol-related causes, it's estimated that 20,000 die annually from cancer related to alcohol use. Read more.
Alcohol industry advertising targets teens
With earlier studies reporting the conclusion that the alcohol industry targets teens with its messaging, new research reports the success of their efforts. Anheuser-Busch the big winner (and big part of the problem) in teen drinking. Read more.
Government reports fewer teens receiving prevention messages from media
A federal study reports that the percentage of teens who received substance abuse prevention messages from the media has declined. School-based prevention messages have also declined. Read more.
Mixing alcohol with diet soda instead of regular soda causes faster intoxication
A new study finds that those who mix alcohol with a diet soda (presumably to avoid calories) become more intoxicated, with intoxication occuring more rapidly, when compared with others who mix alcohol with regular soda. Read more.
"Best friend" may influence teen decision to take first drink
A national study suggests that a teen who gets their first drink of alcohol from a "friend" is more likely to drink earlier in life. This supports other findings of the influence peers have upon the teen decision to drink, while tasking parents with the responsibilty of carefully monitoring friend choices of their children. Read more.
Study: Lowering the drinking age increases risk of binge drinking
New study reports that lowering the drinking age actually increases the risk of binge drinking. Lowered drinking age linked to long-term consequences from early excessive drinking. Read more.
The teen obsession with getting "high"
1 in 20 teens report abusing cough medicines to get high. Alcohol, sythetheic drugs, prescriptive drugs, illicit drugs, glue and others all share something in common with cough medicines - it's the desire of "tweens" and teens to get high. Read more.
High school principal: Parents to blame for teen alcohol use problem
Noting that no one claims parenting is easy, high school principal, Michael LaPorta, blames parents for the nation's serious teen drinking problem. He says, "Have the courage to stand up to your children and say NO (to alcohol use)." Read more.
Four ways parents can prevent underage drinking
With the recent study reporting that alcohol ads influence children as early as the 7th grade to start drinking alcohol, parents become all the more crtical in the public health battle to protect children from the many harms associated with early age alcohol use. Parents are the anti-drug for preventing underage drinking. Read more.
Having friends who drink very influential in decision of other teens to drink
Confirming the importance of peer pressure in the decision to drink, a new study reports that teens are more likely to drink if their friends do. Reflects importance of parental monitoring of child's friends. Read more.
Exposure to alcohol ads influences children to drink
Alcohol advertising does not just impact adults. Beginning as early as the 7th grade, a new study reports that TV alcohol advertising may promote the onset of early youthful drinking. Earlier studies found that alcohol advertising does positively influence children to drink. The more the exposure, the more they drink, said the study. Other studies have reported that the alcohol industry specifically targets teens with their product advertising. Read more.
Many parents unconcerned about teen prescriptive drug abuse
Despite the fact that 1 in 6 teens (nearly 17 percent) have used prescriptive drugs to get high or to alter their mood, many parents are not concerned about prescriptive drug abuse. Abuse is growing among all age groups, though narcotic prescriptive drugs kill more people than illicit street drugs. Use among white teens is three times more prevalent than among black or hispanic teens. Read more.
Personality-Targeted Prevention Program: Teach teens to manage personality to reduce underage drinking
Two factors determine problem drinking: personality and peer pressure. A new study finds that teaching teens to better manage their personality or vulnerabilities helps them make better decisions about use of alcohol, actually reducing or postponing use. Read more.
Marijuana use a long-term threat to teens
With marijuana use among teens experiencing a resurgence (1 in 4 high schoolers admit use), research continues to report the serious threat, particularly among adolescents, frequent drug use poses. Harmful to the brain, frequent use during teen years jeopardizes a young persons chance for success - in school and in life. Read more.
Adults must protect children from exploitation by commercial industries that sell addictive products
As battle lines over legalization of marijuana are being drawn, like alcohol and tobacco products, children become users of the addictive products supposedly marketed to adults. In fact, children often become the direct targets of commercial advertising. Adults must do more to protect children from exploitation by commercial predators. Read more.
Teens find many new and more dangerous ways to get high
While teens are considered to be risk takers, many with little knowledge or understanding of the risks involved, some are finding more extreme methods to bring about rapid intoxication. Medical experts warn of the potential harmful, even deadly consequences that may follow. Most adults have no awareness that teens, perhaps their own, are ingesting alcohol in this manner. Read more.
Stop the complacency about alcohol and addiction
"How can something that ruins lives be the subject of such rich humor," asks commentator Chris Matthews. Alcoholism is a disease, and the majority of the nation's alcoholics are young people, pre-teen to age 26. Matthews adds, "Alcohol .. can destroy not just ambition, but lives and families." We can no longer ignore what alcohol is doing to our children. Read more.
Drug Czar: Legalizing marijuana sends "wrong message" to young people
Gil Kerlikowske, director of the U.S. Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), said that legalizing marijuana sends a the "wrong message" to young people about drug use. Research reports that 25 percent of high schoolers admit use of marijuana, and prevention experts express concern that this number will grow dramatically with on-going legalization efforts in other states. Read more.
"Bath Salts:" Like playing Russian roulette with the brain, experts say
So-called "bath salts," among the new generation of synthetic drugs heavily marketed to teens and young adults, are very dangerous and present a genuine public health hazard. Experts say use of such drugs is similar to playing Russian roulette with your brain. Though most adults know little about such drugs, research finds that teens are well-aware of them. Read more.
Serious public health concerns raised about safety of energy drinks
With the number of hospital emergency room visits doubling in four years for causes related to consumption of energy drinks, a growing national consensus is emerging about the genuinepublic health threat posed by use of such products. Most emergency care related to energy drinks involved teens and young adults. The fact that they may legally be sold does not mean they are safe or without health risk from use. Read more.
Why the explosion in drinking among teen age girls?
Recent reports of the alarming rise in dangerous high-risk drinking among teen girls has health officials concerned, both about short- and long-term consequences. Some contend that teen girls are merely mimicking the drinking behaviors of their mother or other adult women around them. Read more.
Relationship betweens teens and marijuana risky and complex
Recent legalization of marijuana in several states has renewed widespread national conversation about the risks associated with marijuana usage, particularly among teens. Some are now advocating for elimination of age restrictions, while others argue that product legalization, like tobacco and alcohol, does not mean that usage is good for you. Surveys report that 25 percent of high schoolers admit use of marijuana. Read more.
Caring community may help reduce teen alcohol use, study finds
Teens who live in a caring community may be less likely to abuse alcohol than peers who report fewer positive experiences from their community, says a recent Penn State University study. Read more.
After a few drinks, parenting style kicks in, teens say
Research finds that parenting style strongly and directly affects teens when it comes to heavy drinking. Parents have significant influence on the decision of their child to engage in the most dangerous forms of drinking. Earlier studies found that "tolerant" or complacent parental attitudes about teen drinking increased the likelihood their child would become an excessive drinker. Read more.
CDC reports serious binge drinking problem among women and high school girls
Health experts have long been concerned about the dramatic rise in excessive drinking among young girls, some regarding this as a profound cultural change with serious long-term public health implications. Research finds that females metabolize alcohol out of their system more slowly than males; become intoxicated more rapidly; and become addicted to alcohol quicker. 1 in 5 high school girls report binge drinking, while 1 in 8 adult women report binge drinking. Binge drinking increases a womans risk of breast cancer, heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, sexual assault and violence, and many other health problems. Read more.
Children as young as 9 may try alcohol
Weblineplus, a service of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports that children as young as 9 may be curious about drinking alcohol, and they may even try it. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) research finds that 10 percent of 9 and 10-year olds have begun drinking. NIH further reports that most children who avoid alcohol do so because of clear parental guidance and known parental opposition to child drinking. Read more.
Study finds role of parents' in drinking among 3rd graders
A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of third graders finds that nearly one-third (32.8 percent) has sipped alcohol, a high risk marker for the initiation of early underage drinking. The third graders were twice as likely to have done so where parents involved them in alcohol use (fetching or pouring drinks for adults), parents did not have a rule against child drinking, or if children perceived a tolerant parental attitude toward child drinking. Read more.
State adopts vertical drivers license to combat underage drinking
Missouri is the latest state to adopt driver license format changes to proactively combat underage drinking. Adopting a vertical license format, this will enable alcohol sellers to more easily identify underage purchasers. Read more.
Energy drinks provide little or no benefit to consumer
Despite annual sales of more than $10 billion and industry claims that energy products provide users with a mental and physical edge, research finds that such products provide little or no advantage to the user. Indeed, such products have been identified as a cause of death and serious injury. The fastest growing segment of the beverage industry, marketing practices and health harms have attracted the attention of the U.S. Food and Beverage Administration (FDA). Teens are particularly susceptible to misleading and deceptive industry practices. Read more.
Company wants to market marijuana vending machines in states legalizing use
A California-based company is attempting to market marijuana vending machines in Colorado and Washington, where marijuana use has been legalized. Long-term goal is to market machines in all states where use is legalized. Easy drug access from vending machines adds to the concerns of prevention experts about rising use among children. Read more.
Marijana use among teens on the rise
25 percent (1 in 4) of high schoolers report use of marijuana, and nearly 7 percent of seniors report daily use. This says the latest Monitoring the Future Report. Reportedly marijuana use among high school age teens is on the rise, with 36 percent reporting use within the last year. Duke University research reports that marijuana use among teens may cause lasting IQ loss, not reversible by later discontinuation of this practice. Some researchers fear that recent state legalization of marijuana use in Colorado and Washington will lead to a continuing rise in use among young teens. Read more.
Parents more important than school in preventing teen alcohol or marijuana use
A new study reaffirms that involved parents truly are the anti-drug to teen use of alcohol or marijuana. N.C. State University study co-author, Dr. Toby Parcel, said, "Parents play an important role in shaping the decisions their children make when it comes to alcohol and marijuana." Read more.
Environment and genetics are the primary risk factors for alcoholism
New study reports that genetics account for 60 percent of the risk factor for alcoholism, while environment of the drinker provides the remaining risk factor balance.
Read more.
Busting "myths" about alcohol and teen use
An addictive drug; the teen drug of choice; 3rd-leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.; and 2nd-leading preventab;e caise of cancer. This "must read" article debunks some of the myths surrounding alochol use by both adults and teens. Read More.
One in every four teens admit alcohol use in last thrity days
A recent government study reports that 27 percent of the nation's teens has consumed alcohol within the last 30 days. North Carolina has one of the hightes rates of underage consumers purchasing alcohol. Read More.
"Tough love" mom takes matters in her own hands
With her underage son recently discharged from other court probation, a Minnestoa mom took her son to the local sheriff's office for breath testing. He tested positive for alcohol, and acknowledge consumption. He waa charged by local authorities with underage consumption. Read more.
Parents have more influence on teen alcohol use than they think
Half of teens obtain their alcohol from an adult, and half of those adults are parents or other family members. Read more.
Young adults have highest rate of addictiion of any age grouop
Once thinking of the typical addict in recovery for alcohol or other drug addiction as an older adult, today's reality is we now know that addiction strikes much earlier. With a reported drastic increase in the number of young people struggling with addiction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that young adults ages 18 to 25 have the highest rate of addiction of any age group. Read more.
Breaking the troubling cycle of alcohol, other drugs and crime
Only 5 percent of youth needing treatment for alcohol or other drug abuse actually receive it, strudy concludes. Teens with substance abuse problems are more likely to break the law, behave violently or drop oout of school. Read more.
Study finds high rate of underage drinking
25 percent of 12-to 20- year olds report drinking within the last 30 days. says a new government study. Other studies conclude that the age of first use is a powerful predictor of a lifetime of alcohol abuse and dependence. Read more.
Females at particular risk of alcohol-related blackout
Another study reports that alcohol-related blackouts are surprisingly common among collegians, though once thought to be a sign of advanced alcoholism seen typically in middle-age alcoholics. Because of human design, females are at greater risk than males to blackout and its related health, behavioral and risk consequences. Read more.
Increasing alcohol taxes a proven method of reducing underage drinking
Increasing taxes on alcohol is an effective environmental strategy to reduce youthful drinking. While such taxes tend not to negatively impact responsible, of-legal-drinking age adults, increasing such taxes has proven an effective strategy to reduce consumption among price sensitive underage drinkers and alcohol-abusive adults. In addition, such taxes help reduce the health and behavioral cost of harm associated with excessive drinkers. Read more.
Europeans are the world's heaviest drinkers
Debunking myths about "responsible" European drinking, the World Health Organization reports that, instead, Europeans are the world's heaviest drinkers. Earlier studies report that Europeam teen drink more heavily that U.S. teens. Read more.
Study finds alcohol and drug abuse common among U.S. teens
Recent study reports that alcohol and drug abuse among U.S. teens is common, and that 15 percent of drinking teens meet the criteria for alcohol abuse. Median age for alcohol use onset was 14. Read more.
Underage female drinkers now as likely to die in car crash as male peers
In another finding of the dramatic rise in dangerous excessive drinking among females, new study reports that underage female drinkers now as likely to die in car crash as male peers. Read more.
If you wonder whether your teen or tween may be using alcohol or other drugs
Though most parents strongly oppose the use of alcohol or other drugs by their young children, many are uncertain about such misuse even when it is occurring. in their home. However, there are signs that a parent can look for in assessing whether or not they may have a problem at home. Read more.
Strict moms make a difference in the decisions made by their childrens' friends to use alcohol and other drugs
Moms do make an incredible difference. A new stucy reports that strict moms, setting clear and unequivocal standards against teen drug and alcohol use, influence both their kids and their kids' friends not to use alcohol and other drugs. Read more
Teens suffer kidney failure following use of synthetic marijuana
With a raging epidemic of synthetic drug product availability and use, the latest harm reported from these unregulated and largely banned products is kidney failure associated with synthetic marijuana. Health officials nationwide have reported serious health consequences, even deaths, related to the use of synthetic drugs largely targeted at teens and young adults. Read more.
Mixing alcohol with prescriptive drugs multiplies harmful impact on the brain
To enhance the perceived euphoric or sedative effect of drug use, some mix alcohol with other drugs under the mistaken belief it will enhance their euphoria. In reality, it multifples the negative impact on the brain, creating the "Amy Winehouse overdose." Read more.
Teens, young adults driving dramatic increase in prescriptive drug abuse
Asserting that "prescriptive drug use is the next big epidemic," research finds that teens and young adults are largely driving this high-risk and dangerous abuse of such drugs. This includes intentionally mising the abuse of prescriptive medications with alcohol. Like alcohol, easy access continues to be a great concern among prevention experts. Read more.
Alcohol dependence deadlier to females than smoking
With studies concluding that females tend to respond to toxins like alcohol faster than males; tend to become addicted more quickly; and suffer alcohol-attributable diseases faster, a new study finds that alcohol-dependence is more likely to have deadly consequences to women than tobacco usage. Read more.
Teens purchase alcohol on ebay
Joining numerous other internet alcohol purchase opportunities, teens have been able to purchase alcohol on ebay. To shield their alcohol sales, vendors sold the alcohol as a "collectible." ebay has taken action to prevent future sales, but it demonstrates yet another means of easy alcohol access by teens. Read more.
Empowering youth to prevent underage drinking
20 percent of teens are binge drinkers, but eighty percent are not. But any early alcohol use is a very strong predictor of a potential lifetime of alcohol abuse or dependency. The physical health harms from teen drinking can be extraordinary and permanent. Teens who delay the onset of drinking until age 21 or older are statistically unlikely to suffer with dependency issues. To prevent this harm to teens, it takes a community working together to solve this public health crisis. Help teens use their power and to take a stand not to drink alcohol until age 21 or older. Read more.
Study: Some later teen alcohol use associated with mothers allowing children to sip alcohol
Consistent with earlier studies, a new study reports that later teen alcohol use may be associated with mother's earlier permission to sip alcohol. Other studies report that while such adults intent is to teach responsible drinking, their parental permission to drink actually increases the likelihood their child will suffer with later alchol abuse issues. Other studies report that such children tend to drink far more excessively than their peers without parental permission to drink alcohol. Read more.
Urban Outfitters creates marketing storm with back-to-school drinking T-shirts
Angry parents have given national retailer, Urban Outfitters, an earful about their disapproval of T-shirts sold in their stores that support or encourage underage drinking. Placing profit before youthful public health, some argue they have the secondary effect of placing young women at greater risk. Read more.
Why parents should talk to their teens about alcohol and other drugs
Alcohol and other drugs pervade teen "culture." Research concludes the alcohol industry actually targets teens with alcohol advertsing, influencing teens to make bad choices. That's why it's critical for parents to talk to their children early and often about alcohol and other drugs and to set the right example in their own lives about use of addictive drugs. Read more.
Parents are the "anti-drug" to teen peer pressure
Teens are under enormous peer pressure to use alcohol and/or other drugs. Alcohol is the teen drug-of-choice. But research finds that substance use is lowest among teens whose parents are knowledgeable and consistent, and whose friends parents are knowledgeable and consistent. You do make a difference. Read more.
U.S. Senators take aim at counterfeit IDs
With many teens in possession of fake IDs as a means of acquiring access to alcohol, most states have acted to enhance license security in an effort to prevent underage drinking. Yet phony ID makers have thrived, particularly in places like China. In an age of international terror and identity theft, the stakes surrounding counterfeit IDs have escalated. 4 U.S. senators have been successful in persuading the Chinese government to take direct aim at businesses there marketing counterfeit IDs to teens and others. Read More.
Alcohol advertising standards violations most common in magazines with youthful audiences
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
New study once again finds that the unregulated alcohol industry continues violation of its own "voluntary" advertizing standards. This study concludes the industry violates its own standards by targeting a primarily underage market demographic with their advertising. Earlier studies find that the industry actually targets teens with their advertising, while others conclude that alcohol advertising influences teens (their intended purpose) to make bad decisions about alcohol use. Read more.
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to risky sex among collegians
Collegians who mix caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol are more likely to have casual sex, suggesting it may play a role in "hook-up" culture that exists on many campuses. Read more.
Party buses, supposed "safe" alternative. turns blind eye to teen drinking
Providing accommodation for teen drinking, even if done under the misguided notion of providing a safe alternative to teen drinking and driving, turns blind eye to teen drinking, contributing to the problem. Read more.
Why the sudden rise in teen binge drinking
In the war on teen binge drinking, parents must play a role. If you don't want your teen to drink. then you shouldn't drink irresponsibly either. And don't provide teens with alcohol. Read more.
Strict enforcement of underage drinking laws likely to reduce problematic adult criminal activity
95 percent of problematic adult drinkers began drinking as teens. A newly released UCLA study concludes that strict enforcement of underage drinking laws is likely to reduce adult criminal behaviors. Alcohol abuse is a significant factor in much adult criminal activity, but also is a catalyst for much undesirable, even criminal teen behavior. Read more.
Anheuser-Busch targets children with comic strip advertising of its product
Alcohol industry denials notwithstanding, researchers have long concluded that the alcohol industry targets children with their advertising. The latest confirmation of direct underage targeting is A-B's use of Facebook comic strip advertising to market its product. A-B is the world's largest beer manufacturer, with young drinkers its primary market demographic. Yet another confirmation that voluntary self-regulation by the industry does not work. Read more.
Liquor advertising pours into TV
Many studies report that alcohol advertising influences teens to drink, but, unlike tobacco before it, alcohol industry advertising remains unregulated and cash-hungry networks have loosened their rules. Lately there has been a stampede of alcohol industry products to TV advertising, as they battle for the youthful drinking market. Read more.
New Study sheds light on collegian alcohol-induced blackouts
Once considered a sign of advanced alcoholism, alcohol-induced blackouts amoung collegiate drinkers now common. Reflecting extreme alcohol consumption among collegiate drinkers, study reports that 25 percent of drinking collegians will experience alcohol-induced blackout. Read More.
Report: Teen drinkers may underperform academically and feel like social outcasts
University of Texas study reports that teen drinkers more likely to feel like social outcasts and that social isolation may have a negative impact on academic performance. Earlier studies have reported alcohol-related damage to the still-developing teen brain. Read more.
Are we addicted to being an enabler?
Adults, particularly family members, play a critical role in underage drinking. The choices many make either have the positive effect of preventing it or the negative effect of enabling or supporting it. How many times have you heard an enabling adult claim that "all teens drink," "there's nothing wrong with kids having a few drinks," or that teen drinking is a "rite of passage?" Read more.
Teen emergency hospital admissions for alcohol-related causes on the rise
New York Daily News, May 28, 2012
The number of "fall-down teenage drunks" is on the rise in New York, where the "see really young people who drank enormous amounts of alcohol and have bad withdrawal." The same outcome is occurring in many other communities, reflecting the extraordinary quantities of alcohol consumed by many teens. Read more.
American teens drink dramatically less alcohol than European teens
For those who believe that the U.S. should adopt European standards for teen drinkers, research consistently finds that U.S. teens drink dramatically less alcohol than European teens. The problem has become so severe in Europe that many health experts there urge increasing the minimum legal drinking age to 21. However, American teens use more illicit drugs than European teens. Read more.
Our greatest influence on young people is our example.
Responsibility for preventing underage drinking doesn't rest on the shoulders of children. It rests upon the stronger shoulders of adults around them. Read more.
Turning a blind eye to underage drinking
Undereage drinking is a complex societal problem with many contributing factors. Unfortunately, the health, safety and welfare of our children is placed at risk by the health and behavioral harms we now know are associated with early onset drinking. A recent Penn State University study reports that early and often parental conversation with children about alcohol can be very effective in prenting underage drinking. Read more.
Increasingly courageous teens taking a stand against underage drinking
A challenging decision for teens, even adults, increasingly courageous teens are taking a stand. Responsible auto industry providing scholarships to teens willing to make a difference in combating what many decribe as the nation's worst drug problem, alcohol. Read more.
A Message for Parents with College-Bound Teens
Excessive collegiate drinking has been an unresolved 'time-bomb' on many of the nation's campuses. Research finds drinking freshmen now spend more time each week drinking than studying. With collegiate alcohol-related death and poisonings at record levels, parents must be more diligent in preparing their child for the unneccessary threats to collegiate success. Real life is not about drinking alcohol, nor should their college life be defined by excessive use of this addictive drug. Read more.
Letter to the Editor: Parents, Don't Provide Your Teen with Alcohol
Though unlawful to do so in North Carolina and most other States, some parents continue to provide alcohol to their children. While many believe they are teaching responsible drinking, research confirms the effect to be the opposite - they actually increase the likelihood their child will become an excessive drinker. Read more.
Parents arrested after adult-sponsored teen alcohol party gets out of hand
"Be a parent, not a child's best friend," experts say. Parents charged after teen drinking party they allegedly sponsored got out of hand. Neighbors complained to police of wild booze fest. Two 16-year olds taken to local hospital for alcohol treatment. Read more.
Teens who watch TV alcohol ads are more likely to drink
A study presented at a recent annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Society reports that teens who watch TV alcohol ads are more likely to drink. Earlier studies have found that TV ads do influence teens and 'tweens' to use alcohol, while other studies find the marketing saavy alcohol industry actually increases advertising during periods of higher teen viewership. Read more.
4 out of 5 young people in juvenile justice system commit crimes while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Long recognizing the significant influence of alcohol in the adult commission of criminal acts or other misbehaviors, the negative influence of alcohol on less experienced drinking teens is no less troubling. Alcohol is the teen drug of choice. Read more.
Massachusetts community targets parents who provide alcohol to teens
Citing as a "demonstrably false assumption" parental notions that 'kids are going to drink anyway and they're safer drinking here,' communities are taking aggessive criminal enforcement action against parents and other of-legal-drinking age adults who provide alcohol to teens. Alcohol, an addictive drug, kills more teens than all other drugs combined. State Bar Association president says "These kids rapidly consume huge quantities of alcohol at these parties because their goal is to get hammered. Read more.
Tips to protect adolescents from online alcohol and other drug threats
Online media promote alcohol and drug use, though many adults are unaware of the prevalence of pro-drug use propaganda and misinformation available to adolescents on the internet. The Treatment Research Institute has developed a training program for parents, which includes recommendations to help parents defend their children from these threats. Read more.
Young people's health is not keeping pace.
USA Today
April 25, 2012
Though world health has improved significantly for infants and children, study reports the same is not true for adolescents and young adults. Most conditions are entirely preventable, and it is likely alcohol is a contributing factor. Alcohol kills more teens than all other drugs combined, and is closely associated with teen suicide, homicide, car crashes, and pregnancy-related causes. Read more.
New data shows quarter of teens get alcohol from parent, guardian or adult family member
Sacramento Bee
April 17, 2012
While 26 percent of teens acknowledge that a parent, guardian or adult family member provides them with alcohol, 75 percent of teens say that parents can provide something far more valuable. These teens say that parents are the most influential people in their decision to drink alcohol. Read more.
Teen girls with family history of breast cancer should avoid alcohol use, study concludes
With the troubling rise in excessive drinking among young girls, studies report the increased health risks associated with female alcohol consumption. Though alcohol, a carcinogen, is already linked to breast cancer, new study finds that young females with family history of breast cancer should avoid alcohol use. Read more.
Underage female drinkers now as likely to die in alcohol-related car crashes as male peers
Health Day
April 9, 2012
In another sign of the enormous societal shift in excessive female drinking, study now finds that underage female drinkers are as likely to die in an alcohol-related car crash as their male peers. With girls ages 12 to 17-years old now out-consuming same age males, some researchers describe the rise is excessive female drinking as a profound societal shift. Read more.
Stop tempting 'foolish' youth into mistakes
Deseret News
March 21, 2012
Alice Longworth, daughter of chronically youthful President Theodore Roosevelt and therefore perhaps an expert, once said, "The secret of eternal youth is arrested development." Read more.
"Tweens" at critical time for smoking/drinking
PsychCentral
March 16, 2012
Children between the ages of 10 to 12 are ambivalent toward smoking/drinking, study suggests. Read more.
Average age of drinking onset for youths entering addiction treatment now below age 13.
The Partnership at Drugfree.org
March 16, 2012
While experimenting with drugs and alcohol was once considered a rite of passage into early adulthood, the average age of onset of alcohol or substance use of adolescents entering addiction treatment is now below the age of 13 .... 31.5% of adolescent admissions first used their primary substance at age 11 or younger. Read more.
Many products luring too many teens into addiction
Chapel Hill Herald
For the record, it's acknowledged the alcohol industry, like the tobacco industry before it, disputes any assertion it targets teen drinkers with advertising or promotion. Teens account for 20 percent of alcohol sales. Read more.
Alcohol dangers should be taken as gravely as tobacco's
Chapel Hill Herald
Like tobacco before it, for too long we didn't know what we didn't know about the harmful physical effects of alcohol, but then we learned. Read more.
What alcohol is doing to our kids
Chapel Hill News
February 19, 2012
We can't say we weren't warned. Read more.
The Underage Drinking Epidemic
Parade Magazine
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Teens are finding new?and more dangerous?ways to binge. Here's what you can do. More...
Teens & Alcohol
Carolina Parent Magazine
March 2011
Dangerous mix has long-term consequences. Read more....
"With Drinking, Parent's Rules Do Affect Teens' Choices"
by MICHELLE TRUDEAU, NPR NEWS
May 31, 2010 3:00 pm
As teenagers mature into their senior year of high school, many parents begin to feel more comfortable about letting them drink alcohol. But new research from brain scientists and parenting experts suggests loosening the reins on drinking may not be a good idea in the long run. Read full article...
"BYU Study Finds Indulgent Parents May Aid Binge Drinking"
By SARA ISRAELSEN-HARTLEY, DESERT NEWS
June 24, 2010
You can't just love your kids away from alcohol. In fact, teens who viewed their parents as warm and affectionate, but lax in their monitoring, were three times more likely to engage in heavy drinking than their loved and supervised peers, according to a new BYU study. Read full article...
| |
|
 |
|
 |
 | Mission |
The Coalition is an alliance of organizations, individuals and other stakeholders who work collaboratively to prevent underage drinking and teen drug use by advancing education, strategic enforcement and effective policies and initiatives.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
| Alcohol, an addictive psychoactive drug, is the most commonly used and abused drug among U.S. youth. The teen "drug of choice," it kills more teens than all other drugs combined. (Centers for Disease Control)
|
|
| |
| The brain goes through dynamic change during adolescence [ages 12-21] and alcohol can seriously damage long- and short-term growth processes. (American Medical Association)
|
|
| |
| 28% of Chapel Hill-Carrboro youth report they take alcohol from home without their parent's knowledge. (2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey) |
|
|
