According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5,000 persons in the United States under the age of 21 die each year as a result of underage drinking. Alcohol can lead to short-term physical effects, put teens in dangerous situations and lead to long-term problems. Prevention of teen drinking through education is critical for teenage safety and future development.
Physical Effects
Alcohol affects the brain, slowing the reflexes, speech, coordination, judgment and memory. Scientists are not sure what the long-term affects of alcohol are on the brain; however, they do know that alcohol will damage the liver. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking alcohol during puberty can affect the hormonal balance of teens; this balance is necessary for normal development of organs, muscles and bones.
Danger
Drinking alcohol and binge drinking can lead to serious consequences because of loss of self control and impaired judgment. If someone is drunk, he may put himself at risk for becoming a victim to assault. He may engage in risky behavior such as having unprotected sex or using drugs. In addition, since judgment is impaired, he may decide to get behind the wheel or a car or be a passenger in the car of one who is driving drunk. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAHMSA's National Clearinghouse for Drug Information, in 2003, 31 percent of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in a car accident were drunk. Impaired judgment and slow reflexes can lead to dangerous, risky behavior that can have serious long-term consequences.
Effects on the Future
Drinking alcohol as a teen puts their future at risk. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAHMSA's National Clearinghouse for Drug Information, more than 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem developed symptoms such as binge drinking by age 19. In addition, they report that persons who began drinking at 15 are more likely to abuse or depend on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age 20. In addition, since it is not legal for teens to drink alcohol, they might subject their parents and themselves to legal difficulties.
