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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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