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Underage Drinking

  • Death – 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning.
  • Serious injuries – More than 190,000 people under age 21 visited an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries in 2008 alone.
  • Impaired judgment – Drinking can cause kids to make poor decisions, which can then result in risky behavior like drinking and driving, sexual activity, or violence.
  • Increased risk for physical and sexual assault – Youth who drink are more likely to carry out or be the victim of a physical or sexual assault.
  • Brain development problems – Research shows that brain development continues well into a person’s twenties. Alcohol can affect this development, and contribute to a range of problems.

Alcohol and Binge Drinking

 

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Someone who drinks a fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop breathing. Even if someone survives an alcohol overdose, he or she can suffer irreversible brain damage. Rapid binge drinking is especially dangerous because the victim can drink a fatal dose before losing consciousness.
What is binge drinking?
5 or more drinks in a row in a short amount time. It is drinking as much as possible, as fast as possible. Binge drinking can be deadly and is especially dangerous for young people who may ignore, or be unaware of, the dangers.
Binge drinking can lead to:

  • Alcohol Poisoning
  • Car crashes
  • Unprotected sex
  • Violence
  • Problems at home, school and work
  • Serious injury
  • Death
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning:
  • Mental confusion, stupor, coma or person cannot be roused
  • No response to pinching the skin
  • Vomiting while sleeping
  • Seizures
  • Slow breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute)
  • Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
  • Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
What should I do?
  • GET HELP!!!
  • Call 911 or your local emergency service
  • Stay with the victim
  • Keep the victim from choking on vomit
  • Tell emergency medical technicians the symptoms and, if you know, how much alcohol the victim drank. Prompt action might save the life of a friend!