Quiz Yourself |
Check yourself. What do you know about teens and alcohol?
Do you think teen drinking is a “right” of passage? Think again. Underage drinking can result in both tragic consequences that make headlines and other destructive outcomes that don't -including impaired brain development, higher rates of alcohol dependence, and increased risk of sexual assault. There are lots of places where teens get information about drugs and alcohol, including school, peers, and mass media. Know the facts and make sure your children get their information from the best possible source – you.
True or False: “Kids are going to drink anyway – It’s a rite of passage.”
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| FALSE: | Contrary to popular belief, many kids don’t drink. In fact, 36% of Shasta County 11th graders report that they have never had one full drink of alcohol. Research shows that the misperception “everybody’s doing it” actually makes young people more likely to drink alcohol. On the other hand, when this misperception is corrected, and kids realize that “NOT everybody’s doing it,” they are less likely to drink alcohol. |
True or False: “Alcohol is safer than other drugs.”
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| FALSE: | Alcohol kills 6.5 times more youth than all other illegal drugs combined. 15% of 9th graders and 24% of 11th graders in Shasta County report binge drinking (drinking 4-5 drinks within 2 hours). In addition to intoxication, binge drinking can cause difficulty breathing, unconsciousness and death. |
True or False: “It’s safe for teens to drink as long as they don’t drive.”
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| FALSE: | Only one-third of underage drinking deaths involve auto crashes. The remaining two-thirds involve alcohol poisoning, homicides, suicides and unintentional injuries such as burns, drowning and falls. Taking away the car keys doesn’t make underage drinking safe. |
True or False: “It’s better for kids to start drinking young. That way they can learn how to handle it.”
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| FALSE: | Alcohol impacts a teenager differently than an adult because the adolescent brain is still developing – especially the part of the brain that deals with decision-making. During the ages of 12-21, the brain goes through rapid development and “wiring” changes. Research shows the part of the brain involved in learning and memory can be 10% smaller in underage drinkers. Drinking before the age of 21 also places kids at higher risk for academic failure, depression, suicide, sexual assault and alcohol dependence. |
True or False: “As a parent, what I say or do doesn’t make a big difference; teens only listen to their friends.”
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| FALSE: | Parents are still the number one influence in their children’s lives. Parents may not realize that children say parental disapproval of underage drinking is the key reason they choose not to drink. |