Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
[MUSIC]
There are 10.8 million known underage drinkers,
and more than half of them are 18 to 20 years old.
About 20% of them choose to drink alcohol
in restaurants, bars or clubs with their peers.
For many of us, drinking is seen as a rite of passage or
a part of having fun.
Did you know there are serious risks
to drinking alcohol at our age, too?
Our brain continues to develop well into our mid-20's,
so alcohol use can seriously harm our growing brain-
impairing how a person learns,
thinks, and remembers, especially when we drink a lot.
And, did you know that alcohol dependence is highest
for 18 to 24 year olds?
Alcohol Dependence is when people have trouble controlling
their drinking, or when their consumption of, or
preoccupation with alcohol occurs
so severely that it interferes with normal life-
such as showing up to class or getting to work on time.
As a result of drinking,
many have regretted something they did.
Whether they suffered from blackouts,
got in trouble with the police, had sex with
someone without giving or gaining consent,
had unprotected sex,
physically injured themselves or someone else,
or seriously considered suicide.
For those of you 21 years or older,
you have the legal right to drink alcohol.
However, when we all hang out together, those of us under
the legal drinking age rely on you to
support our decision not to drink.
All adults, even young adults,
have a responsibility to prevent underage drinking and
especially binge drinking.
They say, on average young people have about 5 drinks
on a single occasion.
This is called binge drinking, a very dangerous
way of drinking that can lead to serious problems
and even death!
When we all get together to go out, know what choices
to make to keep everyone safe:
Know your friends and their ages
Let your underage friends know that it's okay not to drink.
Don't provide alcohol to someone under 21
Set a good example if you choose to drink:
Avoid drinking games
Alternate between alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks
Keep track of the number of drinks you have
Know when to tell a friend
that they have had enough to drink
Designate a non-drinking driver each time you go out
PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING;
IT'S AN ADULT RESPONSIBILITY.
DO YOUR PART!