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 to compared with those not exposed until adulthood.• Heavy alcohol use in adolescence may interfere with brain development, causing LOSS OF MEMORY AND OTHER SKILLS.• Alcohol use among adolescents has been associated with considering, planning, attempting and completing suicide. Among 8th grade girls who drink heavily, 37% report attempting suicide compared to 11% who do not drink.• 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% of college rapes involve alcohol use by the victim and/or assailant.• 40% to 50% of young males who drown were drinking when they died and an equal percentage of all driving accidents are alcohol-related.