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Town meeting April 30 on underage drinking |
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Alcohol use among children and adolescents starts early and increases
rapidly with age. In 2007, 15.9 percent of eighth graders, 33.4
percent of 10th graders, and 44.4 percent of 12th graders reported
drinking an alcoholic beverage in the previous month. According
to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey 67 percent of 12th grade boys and
41 percent of 12th grade girls reported drinking four or more glasses,
cans or drinks of alcoholic beverages at one time.
Twenty-seven percent of ninth grade boys and 29 percent of ninth grade
girls report using alcohol. Students as young as 10 years old
reported that they had already had their first drink of alcohol, other
than a few sips. Students reported getting alcohol from their
friends, at parties or they took it from home. During the last 12
months 35 percent of 12th grade boys and 28 percent of 12th grade girls
reported driving their cars after using alcohol or other drugs.
Underage drinking is an important health and community concern.
New research shows alcohol affects a teenager’s brain differently than
an adult’s. Memory, learning and impulse control can be seriously
impaired. The risk of addiction goes up dramatically. In addition
alcohol use can cause young people to develop social problems, have
poor judgment, get into trouble, do poorly in school and experience
failure in achieving lifelong goals.
The Houston County Drug Free Coalition is holding a town meeting on
underage drinking on Wednesday, April 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Caledonia
High School. Learn more about the effects of drinking on the
teenage brain, the Minnesota Student Survey results as reported by
Houston County students, and how parents and the community can
influence underage drinkers. Come and the view “This Place”, a
compelling film on underage drinking, and ”Brain Scans: Alcohol
and the Teenage Brain,” listen to Pat Ruda, executive director of the
Coulee Council on Addiction, and ask questions of our panel which
consists of SADD members, law enforcement, Court Services, Human
Services, and others impacted by the use of alcohol.
There will be many resources available for students and parents!
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