Report on Teenage Drinking

Though laws regarding alcohol have been present in the United States almost since the nation's inception, many of our nation's social concerns still stem from alcohol use. Of these sociological concerns, one modern issue revolves around the topic of teenage drinking, or the consumption of alcohol by those under the legal age to purchase the substance (21). It has been alleged by some that teenage alcohol consumption may lead to an increase in the frequency of risky behaviors, such as dangerous driving, and promiscuous, unprotected sexual activity.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly one million high school students across the United States are "binge drinkers," meaning that on each occasion, the teen(s) labeled as such consume more than four alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, three-quarters of high school seniors have consumed alcohol, as well as two-thirds of tenth graders, and two-fifths of eighth graders. Perhaps most tragic of all, 5,000 young people die every year as a result of alcohol consumption, whether from automobile crashes, miscellaneous accidents, or homicide.

Psychological effects as a result of teenage drinking have also been reported. Long-term memory impairment, depression, anxiety without alcohol, and the development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder have all been considered possible results of drinking before age 21. Furthermore, Antisocial Personality Disorder has been reported, resulting in yet another additional possible ramification of alcohol consumption. Even more disturbing, there have been claims that "alcohol use among adolescents has also been associated with considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide."

While the statistics, estimated effects, and general status of teenage drinking in America may at first seem frightening, there is good news. The American Psychiatric Association has reported on teenage drinking more recently than the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and has this to say: "Trends in teen drinking continue to decline." "As few as fifty percent of high school seniors have been drunk within the past year," says the Association according to one released report.

Legal efforts to reduce teen drinking have met some success. Compared to European nations, which have more relaxed laws on alcoholic beverages, the United States has considerably lesser rates of monthly drinking, binge drinking, and intoxication than the countries of Portugal, the United Kingdom, Italy, Hungary, Greece, and Denmark. Legally, in the United States, road construction and maintenance assistance by the federal government may be withheld if a state does not maintain a drinking age of 21 years; thus, in the United States, all fifty states have a drinking age of 21 years, and many laws governing the consumption, distribution, sale, and serving of alcoholic beverages.

Perhaps just as important to controlling teenage drinking as the court system are non-profit organizations that promote a message of abstainment from intoxication. Such organizations include well-known names like M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), whose slogan is "To resist drugs and violence." Concerning both alcohol and violence, teenage incidents of both types are often related; it has been suggested that teenagers, and people in general, are more likely to commit crimes, including those of hatred, while under the influence of alcohol.

On the closer, local level, non-profit organizations and chapters spread the message of abstainment. Particularly well-known at this institution is the student organization S.A.D.D., an acronym standing for Students Against Destructive Decisions. Such placement directly in the schools, one might think, would allow better access to the target audience of messages frowning upon teenage drinking.

As constantly large numbers of individuals shift into adolescence and others exit, teenage drinking will continue to be an issue on the minds of the American people. "Only" thirty-four percent of tenth graders report having been drunk within the past year now, but perhaps the greatest discouragement comes in the wise words of Ernest Hemingway: "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut."