Underage Drinking
Underage drinking is a big factor to the statistics of death tolls in America. Many young people begin experiencing the effects of alcohol from age 13 and continue in its many wonders of seduction through peer pressure. "The average number of alcoholic drinks among college students is five in a single occasion, according to a recent survey. Among those younger than 21, it is 5.5 drinks, and among those 21 and older, it is 4.2 drinks including beers, vodkas, and wines become part of their digestive systems."(Alcohol). These outrageous facts are the beginning of a speedy end to the lives of those who are intoxicated and those they affect, whether through drunk driving or hostile behavior. Partnership for a drug free America researched that over 6,000 people lost lives through drunk driver related accidents in the year of 1995. Too much alcohol in the system can also lead to alcoholism and alcohol poisoning. Who would have thought that beer could be a poison to the body?
According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health," About 10.8 million Americans between ages 12-20 report current alcohol consumption" The peak years of alcohol initiation are in 7th and 8th graders. When adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 drink alcohol they consume on average about five drinks per occasion about six times a month. "Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking." (Why do Adolescents Drink?) These statistics may seem hard to believe but in fact are true. Too many of our youth are dying due to the subjection of alcohol. One night, one party, one double dare, could lead one from one beer to another until complete intoxication and harm to others.
Some action needs to be taken to ensure that underage drinking is minimized. Not only can introducing alcohol to young bodies hurt their brain development, it can also cause them to become dependent on the drug. Governments need to be strict on to whom they...
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