Teen Drinking Isn't Going Away; More Binges

It’s Friday night. Teens throughout the county will jump in their car for a night of hanging out. For parents, it’s a night of apprehension
over the choices their children will make. Will the kids attend a party where alcohol is served? Will they “just say no” as they been told so
many times? Will they cave to peer pressure in the desire to be like "everyone else?"

Statistics seem to validate the concerns of parents and educators.

• Alcohol is the leading cause of death in youth 15-24 years old.
• 72 percent of 12-20 year-olds reported having at least one drink in their lifetime.
• 41 percent reported current alcohol use.
• 28 percent of adolescents, age 12-20, used alcohol in the past month.
• 17 percent reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks in one setting.

These figures from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey may be surprising to parents. But local alcohol prevention agencies and school districts deal with this every day. 

The survey, conducted in 2009 by the Centers for Disease Control, polled youth in public and private schools in all 50 states.

“Underage drinking isn’t a new problem,” said Dan Duncan, director of community services for the National Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse/St. Louis. 

“But the way teens drink has changed. We see binge drinking, so consumption of alcohol has increased. Youth now, drink to get drunk largely due to immaturity and, often, due to goals that involve the opposite sex,” he said. 

Renee Heney, director of the Rockwood Drug-free Coalition, said underage drinking is an ever-changing problem.

“Children now are drinking hard liquor to get drunk. They arrive at parties with bottles of vodka and then mix alcohol with substances like energy drinks,” Heney said. “Energy drinks mixed with alcohol cause the user to remain awake and allows them to drink even more,” she said. It defeats the body’s natural defenses against overdrinking.

Valerie Kamhi, teacher and Safe Celebrations coordinator in Rockwood School District, agrees that the way adolescents use alcohol has morphed over the years.

“Ten years ago, the major issue in underage drinking was denial,” she said. “There was denial from parents in terms of the seriousness of drinking. You know, ‘kids will be kids’. And the community didn’t see underage alcohol use as much of a problem,” she said.  

Parental attitudes about drinking have changed.

“Most parents say no to any alcohol use by their children but some feel it’s safer to allow drinking in their home so children can be supervised. By taking away the car keys, parents think they’ve eliminated the danger,” Kamhi said, but believes it sends the wrong message. 

“Underage drinking is against the law and it provides an opportunity for unsafe behaviors like premarital sex or violence.” Studies show that premarital sex and sexual assault are more likely to occur if alcohol has been consumed.

Prevention programs used by Rockwood have reduced the number
of alcohol issues at school functions like Homecoming. 

However, Kamhi suspects the drinking now occurs at after-parties when students aren’t under the watchful eye of school staff.  

“Young people feel they are invincible,” said Duncan. “They feel these risky behaviors won’t affect them.” 

But as scientists continue neurological research, it is apparent that alcohol consumption by the young is not only risky but unhealthy.  The young brain is especially sensitive to alcohol.

• The brain is under construction until people reach their mid-20s. Alcohol, especially binge drinking, interferes with the brain's ability to form.
• Alcohol use alters short-term memory and may have longlasting effects.
• Alcohol use impairs learning.
• Alcohol abuse increases the incidence of suicide.
• Early use of alcohol is a predictor for dependency and alcoholism.

In spite of all the warning signs, startling statistics, and evident health risks; young people still tend to start drinking at an early age, continue to drink, and drink to excess.