2012 MICHAEL A. DEMAYO SCHOLARSHIP - SUBMITTED BY DAKOTA PALACIO TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
THINK before you DRINK
The Drinking Game Real? Not Real? With society and media glamorizing drinking and other adult behaviors, teens have fallen into the danger zone. With few outlets to express their growth from childhood to adulthood in positive ways. Far too many take on negative CONTENTS behaviors in the attempt to appear mature or to mimic what they see and believe to be cool behavior. Unfortunately, this leads many tweens and teens to life threatening situations as many begin drinking in their pre-teens. In essence, 2 we truly are playing The Hunger Games with our youth; however, it would be AMY’S STORY True story of how drinking and more appropriately tagged in our society as ‘the drinking game’. In the light of the ever popular set of books The Hunger Games can your teen answer the driving changed lives forever. follow as real or not real? The first step to good decisions is reality and fact.
3 • Each year as a result of drinking 5,000 youth lose their WHAT IF lives? Challenges tween and teen may face regarding drinking and • Teens that drink are at risk of life-long alcohol abuse? driving • Every year 1,900 teens under 21 lose their lives from under age drinking and related accidents? 4 IT ALL STARTS WITH • Fatal crashes involving younger drivers (16-20) are more ONE SIP likely than drivers over 21? We are seeing alcohol use in younger age children. • High school students that consume are more likely to attempt suicide? 5 OTHER RISK FACTORS • Drinking coffee, showering or a big meal can drop your What drives kids to drink? blood alcohol level quickly?
• Girls are more likely to have higher blood alcohol levels 6 that boys who drink the same amount? CONSEQUENCES OF UNDERAGE DRINKING • Every year, 900,000 people are incarcerated for DUI/DWI? Take a look at some of the legal and health issues surrounding • Tweens between grades 6 and 10 have the largest gain underage drinking when it comes to drinking?
• If you drink you should wait 45 minutes per alcoholic drink 7 and add 15 additional minutes if you’re female? Q&A Here are the answers to some The above answers are as follows: common questions about 1.) Real, 2.) Real, 3.) Real, 4.) Real, 5.) Real, 6.) Not Real, 7.) Real, 8.) Real, 9.) Real 10.) Real drinking Now, the question is will you choose to be safe? 8 CITATIONS Sources Real? Not Real?
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING 1 TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
Amy’s Story a man calling for help. I looked at him tears in his eyes. I didn’t understand and could see fear in his eyes. He took until I got older. I don’t remember much about that his coat off, quickly wrapped me up and awful day. I was five years old and my sat me in his back seat. The car was dark My mother and sister were pulled mother and sister and I were coming and I was cold and wet. I could feel the out and taken to the nearest hospital. home from dinner with friends and handfuls of cold, wet mud caught in my My sister was pronounced dead on family. It was dark and I was sleepy. I clothes. The yellow flashing lights scared arrival (DOA) but my mother was wanted to unbuckle but my mother said me. He said, “Stay here.” I decided to critical. She was struggling to breath “Absolutely not.” but I continued to beg. listen and watched as he ran down the because of all the water and mud that I wanted to lay down in the back seat. bank. I couldn’t see him for a long time got into her lungs they explained to me. After a great deal of effort, she finally but it wasn’t long before the police and I still didn’t understand and just knew gave in and allowed me to unbuckle they could fix that by wiping it out. and lay down. I must have fallen My mom woke up and talked to asleep because all I remember next family but all she would say was she was falling. The car was spinning and had to go take care of sissy and that turning upside down. The world she loved me. That was the last erupted into chaos of scraping metal time I heard my mom say anything. and breaking glass. I heard screams A drunk driver ran us off the road and mom say “Oh my God!” I could that night and didn’t even stop to feel my body slamming into the seats see what happened. I don’t know into the glass and the hard sides of what it is like to have a mother or the car. Then everything was silent. sister as a teenager or adult because The car gave a metallic moan like a someone choose to drink and dying animal and sank into it’s final drive. They were stolen from me. resting place. I staggered onto my There is not a day that goes by that elbows disoriented and trying to I don’t wish I could rewind time and remember which way was up. change it. Please don’t be the Suddenly, water started filling the car person that leaves anyone else in my hands started to submerge in this situation. Far too many things water that was entering through the can happen that can’t be un-done. broken windows and the bent doors. I guess I’ll spend some of my life We landed in a river and the front of wondering what if it wouldn’t have the car was starting to fill up. My happened. What if I would have fingers frantically grabbed at mom kept my seatbelt on and would I and my sister’s clothes, who were have been trapped too and got to go both in the front seat. My nails dug to Heaven with them? Then I into their jacket and shirt but I wouldn’t be alone here. Would they couldn’t move them. I pulled and pulled other help showed up. The police man have made it if I would have tried until I thought my hands and fingers looked at me in the car and said, “Stay harder to pull them out? Why would a 5 would snap. I was too little and not here.” I had got that already and I year old be left behind to have so many strong enough. My mom was barely nodded feeling alone and trapped in this questions when they are not old enough awake and I looked down into her sad car. I could see him and other people to understand the choices made that day. eyes. She mouthed the words, “Get out” headed down the bank. I wanted my Please choose to be safe. Please make a and motioned to the broken window. I mommy and sissy. The red and blue choice to never drink and drive and climbed out and had second thoughts flashing lights scared me more than the better yet, just don’t drink. Life is too turning back to the car. She growled at yellow ones did because of the loud precious and more importantly it can’t me to “Go.” The problem was, I didn’t screaming siren. be changed or redone. know where to go. I stood there but mom wasn’t speaking any more and I Later the man who gave me the *This is a true story and names couldn’t see my sister. I struggled coat came up the hill covered in mud. have been removed or changed to clutching at the muddy ground but I He was wet and shivering and he had protect the innocent. made it up the bank. Suddenly there was
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING 2 TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING What if... Think Before You React
Hey, we’re having a party at Molly’s. Her parents are Well you’re not going to get home if you don’t get in going away for the weekend and her brother is going to besides nothing is going to happen. his girlfriend’s. We’ll have the place to ourselves. If you’re ever at a party or event and find yourself in a Even though it might sound exciting to have some situation that is uncomfortable just call home. Parents may be unsupervised time with friends without someone to say don’t, stop angry due to their worry over your safety but they will come get it or even cut it out. You might think on this invitation a bit you and keep you safe. If someone has been drinking, don’t get in longer and figure out what might be the car even if it is a sibling, friend or taking place that you wouldn’t want parent. Call for help, just don’t get in parents or a responsible adult to see Peers are saying... the car. You can repair relationships or overhear. The best rule is if you They choose not to drink because but you can’t repair death or some can’t say it to your parents or friends injuries due to drunk driving. parents, then it is more than likely not its unhealthy, against the law, worth doing and the resulting trouble uncool and parents warned them You’re not cool. You are a goody-goody and won’t do it might create. Just say, “Thanks but not to drink. Know you are not no thanks.” Perhaps take in a movie anything fun. with friends that are choosing healthy alone. Others youth say: Those types of statements only come options. from people that want you to join Here, try this! It is the bomb. • (62%) It is not healthy them in the decisions they have made. • (57%) It is against the law If it were jumping off a building the Never take something or try answer would be more easy, a simple • (54%) My parents said no something that you are unsure of “No, are you crazy.” However, when what it is. Ask what it is and then • (49%) It is uncool trying a drink or drugs it seems more decline. There are too many drugs • (24%) Afraid of getting in trouble harmless as most tweens and teens and diseases out there to take a don’t have enough life experience to chance on something you have no • (22%) It would hurt my athletic know what can happen nor have they idea where it came from or has been. performance experience loosing many around Being cool is standing up for yourself Source: The Century Council, TRU, Omnibuzz February 2003 them from such actions. The answer and knowing who you are! Be too to these types of statements should smart to start! be, No! No more has to be said, just don’t go there. It’s peer pressure. Come on, let’s go for a ride. We’ll be back before they get home. I’ve only had one beer and I feel great. Life is about choices and you have the right to choose which path you will take. One beer is one too many for anyone driving. Also, if someone has to sneak out to drive then that is a warning signal The hardest part of growing up is learning who you are and right there. You could go and nothing happen or you could go what you believe in. To do this you have to trust your heart, your and never return. Don’t play life lottery. You’re far to special to head and follow the values you believe. You will be tested by do something so foolish. If you want to go, just ask and explain others who are still trying to find themselves. This is because far why it is so important and someone responsible will take you. If too often we fool ourselves into believing we are doing the right you act responsible you will get to do far more than if you cheat thing if others agree with us. This is not always true. The best or sneak around. To those that act responsible goes the freedoms. things in life are free: Love, Kindness, Compassion and Respect.
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IT STARTS WITH ONE SIP...
“ By the time they reach the eighth grade, nearly 50 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink, and over 20 percent report having been “drunk.” Approximately 20 percent of 8th graders and almost 50 percent of 12th graders have consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Among 12th graders, almost 30 percent report drinking on 3 or more occasions per month. Approximately 30 percent of 12th graders engage in heavy episodic drinking, now popularly termed “binge” drinking—that is, having at least five or more drinks on one occasion within the past 2 weeks—and it is estimated that 20 percent do so on more than one occasion.”
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Many teens and tweens say that they have only had one sip of an alcoholic beverage before. It starts with one sip. From the moment that one sip is taken it starts, the pressure to fit in and be cool, the pressure to be like everyone else, the pressure to “EVERY MINUTE SOMEONE take another sip, then the pressure to have just one drink, then the pressure to have another. This grows and snowballs until IS INJURED IN AN ALCOHOL suddenly you are under the influence and being pressured to RELATED CAR ACCIDENT.” either do something you wouldn’t normally want to do or you, and it all started with one sip. yourself, are pressuring someone else to follow along. It’s after the first sip that the thought starts to haunt you “The first sip wasn’t that bad. What could it hurt, if I just had one drink?” Eventually, that thought might become “I’ve only had one and I feel okay, I can drive home.”
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Other Risk Factors
Money Stress The almighty dollar has its advantages Adults will not argue that tween and teen and disadvantages for teens. Some use years are stressful. It is a time of growth that too funds well and learn to manage money many find they are no longer a child and yet they while others simply feel the need to spend. are not quite an adult. There is pressure from Studies show tweens and teens that receive teachers, parents and friends to make all kinds of $25 or more in allowances a week are twice decisions that seem life changing and in-fact some as likely to spend it on alcohol or drugs and are. Studies show high stressed teens are more they are even more likely than teens without likely to drink, smoke and/or do illegal drugs. those funds to get drunk.
Bored Peer Pressure For a teen with a growing mind and As teens are making the transition from child abundant energy, it is hard to find healthy to adult they will find their peers experimenting options. Some require money such as and trying new things. Some things are good like movies, shopping, sports and other activities new music and clothes but when drugs and so it becomes difficult for a young creative drinking enter the picture the consequences mind and many get bored. Studies show become even more severe. Teens are highly bored teens are 50% more likely to drink, influenced by things around them including smoke and/or do illegal drugs. parents, friends and media and are more likely to drink if exposed to these outlets. It is a natural desire for a human to want to belong and fit in, it is classified as one of our needs for survival alongside shelter, food and water.
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9 OUT OF 10 TEENS SAY DRINKING IS NOT WORTH THE CONSEQUENCES
“I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt someone else or killed them because I chose to drink and drive.” ~ Dakota
Consequences of Underage Drinking
Law Enforcement Health Consequences • If you are under the age of 21 it is illegal to consume any • Injuries induced by being under the influence of alcohol form of alcohol including: • A class 3 misdemeanor if you are underage and purchase, • Motor vehicle crashes sell, give or serve alcohol. • Homicide • It is illegal to drive or control any motor vehicle if you • Suicide have consumed any form of alcohol. • Sexual Assault • The production, sell, and use of fake IDs to obtain alcohol • Alterations in hormone production or to enter an establishment that sells alcohol is a class 1 • Brain damage - including short-term memory damage misdemeanor. • Liver damage • This could result in a suspended driving privileges, • Addiction - alcohol is one of the leading causes for other juvenile court hearings, fines, required counseling and / or drug addiction such as: community service. • Cocaine • Heroine School Suspension • Marijuana • Alcoholism • Drinking will not only result in possible physical, legal and emotional damage but can also be translated into academic punishment including: • Athletic / Sports Team Suspension Living with the Consequences of My Actions • Club Suspension • Could you live with yourself if you knew that the cause of • Etc. someone’s death was your driving under the influence? • How would you feel if someone you knew was killed Parents and Family Punishment because of a drunk driver? The same goes for sexual assault, homicide, suicide and • Your parents and family will be highly disappointed in • your actions. After you did not heed their warnings they will addiction. also enforce their punishments. • The negatives outweigh the positives
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING 6 TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING Q&A
What are Zero Tolerance Laws? All fifty states have Zero Tolerance Laws for underage drinking and driving, meaning you can be charged with DUI with much lower alcohol content. The smallest amount of alcohol can result in conviction.
If kids can vote, work and join the Yes, kids can work at age 14, vote at 18 and even join the military in the United military then why wait to 21 to be able States; however, studies have shown that 21 is the legal drinking age because it assists to to drink? delay the onset of alcohol usage and reduces alcohol related injuries and deaths in teens. Studies have also shown it reduces the changes of alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse.
My parents (sibling, friends, etc.) We as children naturally look to our parents for guidance. They were the ones drink, if they do then why isn’t it okay who have taught us the basic skills of life as well as what is right and wrong. It is hard for me? to think that something is bad when you see the person that you love doing it. Ask them their opinion of what they think is reasonable drinking and what is considered unreasonable drinking. Look into your own perspective, think about what we have talked about. What do you think is right and wrong?
As far as friends, friends come and go and true friends should be able to tell each other how they feel. Open up to them and tell them how you feel about drinking. Tell them about the negative things that come from drinking. You ultimately decide your own decisions for your life. Friends and sometimes even parents don’t fully understand your goals and ambitions in life. It’s your job to look at the big picture. Are you going to let something as foolhardy as drinking jeopardize it?
How many people die from alcohol One person every 50 minutes dies in an alcohol related car crash. related crashes? Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.
How many people die from teen Approximately 6,000 people each year will die from teen alcohol-related car alcohol abuse a year? crashes.
People say that if you drink you are It is true that students, mainly in high school that drink or use other drugs are five more likely to drop out of school... I times more likely to drop out. Alcohol is a distraction, it causes students to lose track of know Honors Students who drink.... their goals and grades. When you’re drunk you aren’t thinking correctly and you might do things that you would never ever have done if you were thinking clearly. As far as these “Honors” Students that drink and drive, to truly be an Honors Student you must have the same morals in the classroom that you do outside the classroom and I think that you will find that there is more to their good grades than what appears.
My friends want to go out tonight and Trust your instincts, if you feel you shouldn’t go then don’t go. If you want to go they say their won’t be any drinking and still have reservations be prepared to call an adult or a taxi to get home. Don’t stay involved... I think they’re just saying in a situation that you feel unsafe in. that to get me to go.
How do I spot a drunk driver on the While you are driving, if you see someone you suspect is driving while impaired it road? is best to pull over and call the authorities. Don’t stay on the road because you could be in danger. Look out for: weaving, drifting in and out of lanes, swerving, driving into oncoming traffic, almost hitting / hitting an object or vehicle, stopping abruptly, and driving without headlights at night.
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Citations IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS...
"Alcohol Alert." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Apr. 2003. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. +death&search_group=&orient=&search_cat=&searchtermx=&photographer_name=&people_gender=&people_age=&p eople_ethnicity=&people_number=&commercial_ok=&color=&show_color_wheel=1#id=61164907>. SADD Students Against Drunk Driving Bored Teen. Help This Kid. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. "Health and Legal Consequences of Underage Drinking." Draw Your Line. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. "How to spot a drunk driver." MADD. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. Money Bag. The One. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. Peer Pressure. Drug Free Homes. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. "Statistics." MADD. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. HopeLine of North Stressed Girl. EduGuide. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. Thumbs Down. Flickr. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING 8