• People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop

ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE than those who wait until age 21.• Adolescents get the same long-term health risks as adults who drink heavily. This means they are at an increased risk of developing

CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER, PANCREATITIS, HEMORRHAGIC STROKE, AND CERTAIN FORMS OF CANCER.• Teens who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active at an earlier age, to have sex more often, and to engage in unprotected sex, which places them at greater risk of HIV infection and other

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.• One study showed students diagnosed with alcohol abuse were four times more likely to experience

MAJOR DEPRESSION than those without an alcohol problem.• Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to serious

SERIOUS AND PERMANENT DAMAGE IN AN UNBORN CHILD. This can result in mental retardation and severe emotional problems as the child grows up.• Alcohol exposure during adolescence is linked with a

REDUCED ABILITY TO LEARN compared with those not exposed until adulthood.• Heavy alcohol use in adolescence may interfere with brain development, causing

LOSS OF MEMORY AND OTHER SKILLS.

<B>ROAD DEATHS</B>In a study, 21% of young drivers 15 to 20 years old who were killed in crashes were DRUNK.<B>HOMICIDE</B>In a high percentage of serious crimes, alcohol is found in the offender, the victim, or both. 95% of violent crimes on college campuses are alcohol-related, and 90 percent of college rapes involve alcohol use by the victim and/or assailant.<B>DROWNING</B>40% to 50% of young males who drown were drinking when they died and an equal percentage of all diving accidents are alcohol-related.<B>SUICIDE</B>Alcohol use among adolescents has been associated with considering, planning, attempting and completingsuicide. Among 8th grade girls who drink heavily, 37% report attempting suicide compaed to 11% who do not drink.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE 5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OR THINK GRADES ARE NOT IMPORANT