Alcohol

 

Underage drinking is the number one form of substance abuse among young people, more than smoking or illicit drug use. Although excessive use of alcohol has significant negative effects on all populations, these effects are particularly potent among young people because they are still developing physically, mentally, and socially. Furthermore, young people are generally less able to regulate their alcohol use and behavior; as a result, young people tend to binge drink more than adults and engage in more risky behaviors such as driving while intoxicated or engaging in sexual activity.

 

But you can do plenty to prevent underage drinking or avoid participating in it. The first place to start is by getting informed. Type “underage drinking” into your favorite search engine or check out some of these great resources for parents and kids:

 

For Kids

  • The Cool Spot is a great website for young people to learn about alcohol and ways to resist peer pressure.
  • TeensHealth from Nemours gives you the facts about alcohol and what it does to your body as well as strategies for saying no to alcohol.
  • Youth Beyond Blue explains the connections between depression and alcohol use and what you can do about it.

 

For Parents

  • “Make a Difference”  is a publication for parents from the National Institutes of Health that will help you learn more about what’s going on in your children’s world and help them resist the lures of alcohol.
  • Parent Further’s information pages about alcohol provides FAQs about underage drinking and tips on what to do if you suspect your child is drinking.
  • Stop Underage Drinking provides comprehensive research and resources about preventing underage drinking compiled from 15 federal agencies of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD).

These resources are provided for information purposes only and are not intended to replace professional medical, health, or legal advice.   Please consult your doctor, mental health professional or lawyer for advice that is specific to your needs.  SCC, its officers, directors, staff and attorneys hereby disclaim any responsibility for, or any liability resulting from, the use of these resources.