Teen Thinking

Did You Know?

• Parents are the first line of defense.
• The first place where many underage drinkers get alcohol is from their homes (with or without parental permission).
• Kansas law holds adults liable for Underage Alcohol consumption on their property.
• Motor Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 20.
• Children who start drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to become alcohol dependent.
• In 2009, of Shawnee County youth in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades, 28.10% report consuming alcohol within the last 30-days with 15.40% reporting binge drinking (5 or more drinks at one setting) within the last two weeks. (Kansas Communities That Care (CTC) school survey.
• In Shawnee County, the biggest increase in the percentage of reported past 30-day consumption of alcohol occurs between 6th and 8th grade. The biggest increase in the percentage of reported 2 week binge drinking occurs between 10th and 12th grade.
• Shawnee County girls in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades have a slightly higher percentage (29%) than boys (25%) of alcohol consumption in the last 30 days.
• Shawnee County young Hispanics in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades have a slightly higher percentage (29%) than non-Hispanics (27%) of past 30-day consumption of alcohol; and a slightly higher percentage (18%) than non-Hispanics (14%) of binge drinking (5 or more drinks at one setting) within the last two weeks.

Drinking underage can:

• Result in your child getting a Minor in Possession/Consumption charge, that could affect:
  • Their chances of getting a scholarship.
  • Their probability to get a job after graduation.
• Get them expelled from school, sports teams, or extracurricular activities.
• Increase their chances of becoming a victim of date or acquaintance rape.
• Increase their chances of becoming dependent on alcohol.

TeenThinking.Org

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