ALCOHOL + TEENS = ROAD DEATHS

In a study, 21% of young drivers 15 to 20 years old who were killed in crashes were DRUNK.

• 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 AND PERMANENT DAMAGE IN AN UNBORN CHILD. This can result in mental retardation and severe emotional problems as the child grows.• 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.

In colleges, 34% of non-binge drinkers reported being insulted by binge drinkers; 13% reported being pushed, hit or assaulted; 54% reported having to take care of a drunken student; 68% were interrupted while studying; and 26% of women experienced an unwanted sexual advance.

Act 24 of 2003 amended Pennsylvania’s driving-under-th- influence laws. A major provision decreased the driving under the influence blood alcohol content from .10 percent to .08 percent.In addition to lowering the DUI limit, the new state law created a tier system for blood alcohol levels exceeding the minimum DUI percentage.• .08 percent to .099 percent is considered general impairment• .10 percent to .159 percent is considered a high rate of alcohol• .16 percent and above falls under the highest rate<I>SOURCE: www.pa-drunkdrivinglawayer.com</I>

Alcohol poisoning, a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose, is the most serious consequence of binge drinking.When excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed, the brain is deprived of oxygen.The struggle to deal with an overdose of alcohol and lack of oxygen will eventually cause the brain to shut down the involuntary functions that regulate breathing and heart rate.If a person is known to have consumed large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time, symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:• Vomiting• Unconsciousness• Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin• Slow or irregular breathingIf this occurs, call the 911 emergency center immediately.Need to talk: If you have questions about this topic, call the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program at 724-284-5114 or the county's drug tip line at 866-363-3784.