JOSEPH GOLEY
Teenage Drinking Volume 1, Issue 1
11/24/09
Drinking in Teens Today
Contents: Drinking in Teens Today
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Teen Drinking Can Pose Serious
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Laws Against Teen 2 Drinking Why Do Teens Drink?
Alcohol is a common beverage among Americans today, including teens. It works as a depressant, meaning it slows the brains reaction to stimulus. According to a study conducted by the National Institution on Drug Abuse, 51.6% of Americans age 12 and older have used alcohol at least once in the thirty days prior to being surveyed.*3 This indicates that many teens are drinking steadily. Unfortunately most teenagers do not realize that their use of alcohol is threatening their health , safety, and development. There are several reasons that a teenager might try alcohol. They include: peer pressure, because they think it makes them appear
more mature, or simply because they enjoy the feeling it gives them.. There are still laws that prohibit the use of alcohol by minors, as well ash selling to minors and driving while intoxicated. Though thousands drink each year, the number is starting to decline as more effective techniques in prevention are being administered. Parents are more aware of how much teenagers are drinking and are beginning to be more involved in their choices. Simply by talking to their children about the use of alcohol, parents are helping to postpone their teenagers first drink.
Most teens are taking their first drink before the age of fifteen. *2
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Voice of a Student 2
Preventing Teen Drinking
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Teen Drinking Word Search
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Bibliography/ Resources
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Laws Against Teen Drinking: . There are many laws in place to prevent underage drinking and the risks associated with it. In Missouri driving while intoxicated (DWI) is illegal and often results in either a high fine or even prison time depending upon persons record. A DWI is not the same as a DUI. A DUI means driving under the influence. This can be because of alcohol or the use of drugs,
while the term DWI strictly refers to the use of alcohol. There are also laws in place to help prevent teens from acquiring and drinking alcohol. Companies and stores that sell alcohol have to check the age of patrons and customers to make sure they are twenty-one before they will sell them alcohol. Laws like the statutory authority for the EUDL Block Grant Program
found within Section 504 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, 42 U.S.C. 5783 stating that underage drinking is illegal and consequences will be issued to those who break them, are more prevalent and help to convince teens drinking is a bad choice.