When it comes to consuming too much alcohol, adults are not the only group that can be affected; minors and those under the age of 21 are often seen participating in the act of excessive drinking. If you feel like you or someone you know is involved in the performance of underage drinking, then we encourage you to read on. It's important to seek assistance in stopping this issue, immediately. Underage drinking can lead to serious penalties.
Facts Pertaining to Underage Drinking
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in the United States. Though it's illegal to consume alcohol if you are under the age of 21, minors and teens are responsible for a large amount of alcohol that is annually consumed in America. The following is a list of surprising facts regarding underage drinking trends:
- 56 percent of children in junior high and high school report that viewing alcohol-related advertisements make them want to consume alcohol
- Nearly seven million people aged 12 to 20 are binge drinkers ( meaning, one-in-five under the legal drinking age is considered to be a binge drinker)
- 39 percent drink or have drank alcohol at some point in their lives
- 8 percent have operated a vehicle while drunk
- 24 percent have been in the vehicle of a drunk driver
Underage Drinking Consequences
Consuming too much alcohol often leads to a long list of consequences, particularly when consumed by minors or those under the legal drinking age. It's important to understand that drinking alcohol at a young age can damage your body, as well as create future problems or illnesses, such as:
- Poor Grades and School Attendance
- Social Issues
- Physical Problems (i.e. interruption of growth, hangovers, sexual development, etc.)
- Alcohol Poisoning
- Abuse of Other Drugs
The Legal Drinking Age
A question that constantly arises with the discussion of underage drinking is: should the legal drinking age (21) be lowered (to 18)? A public poll conducted in 2007 yielded the following results:
- 77 Percent Opposed the Change
- 22 Percent Favored the Change
- 1 Percent Offered No Opinion
(http://www.gallup.com/poll/28237/most-americans-oppose-lowering-legal-drinking-age-nationwide.aspx)
Note: Underage drinking has serious penalties. Please seek the proper assistance if you feel you suffer from this condition.
