February 2014

To Drink Or Not To Drink?

Jessica, Sarah, Jack, Nick
WHAT ARE THE RISKS? WHATS WRONG WITH ONE DRINK?

Know your limits!

It is easier said than done when it comes to avoiding the drink. Until you are 21 in the state of Pennsylvania, you cannot legally purchase, buy, possess, or transport beer, wine, or liquor without being arrested. If convicted of underage drinking the fine is up to $303, jail up to 90 days or both. That also goes on your record as criminal activity and you could lose your license for 90 days. If you get caught driving under the influence, it is a misdemeanor of the second degree and results in a $5000 fine Write captions for the selected photos. and up to 48 years in jail. Under Pennsylvanias zero tolerance law, if you are caught driving with a blood tested of .02% alcohol and youre under 21, you can be arrested. According to the National Center for Addiction and Substance abuse, almost 80% of high schools students have tried alcohol. Using yeast or bacteria, fermentation creates alcohol. When someone drinks alcohol, it is absorbed into the blood stream and from there it affects the brain and spinal cord which controls all body functions. Alcohol is a depressant and slows the bodies function down which alters mood, emotion, movement, vision, and hearing; people often slur their speech and begin to stumble around. If too much alcohol was consumed, alcohol poisoning is a risk with the first sign being vomit. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may follow. Teens often drink out of curiosity, to feel good, reduce stress, relax, fit in, and to feel older. Teens who drink are more likely to get into fights and to start being affected academically. While under the influence, teens sometimes become more sexually active which puts them at risk for having unsafe sex and even result in pregnancy. Drinking is often involved in suicide and those who start drinking at a young age are at risk for organ damage.

In the state of Pennsylvania, the year 2012 had 11,956 alcohol related crashes and 404 deaths by drunk drivers. 18% of driver deaths in the 16-20 age group are from drinking drivers. In the average day, 33 alcohol related traffic crashes occur, 1.1 people were killed, and 24 people were injured. Most alcohol related crashes are between 8 PM and 4 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. D.U.I.s are a serious offense.

IF YOURE CONCERNED WITH SOMEONE ELSES DRINKING HABITS OR YOUR OWN, ALATEEN AND TALKING TO A COUNSELOR MAY HELP.

To Drink Or Not To Drink? For more information, check out Team DUI PA DUI Association