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Underage drinking has been a huge issue for communities. What teens seem not to realize is that their drinking habits not only affect them, but also the people around them. According to the CDC, problems such as failing grades, social problems, physical and sexual assault are only a few from the long list of problems related to drinking (2013). What some parents don’t realize, is that if they were to talk to their teens about underage drinking, some of these problems along with many more could be avoided completely. A survey done by the CDC stated that high school students had reported the following: “39% drank some amount of alcohol, 22% binge drank, 8% drove after drinking, and 24% drove with someone that had been drinking” (2013).

Research has shown that brain development in humans doesn’t stop until a person is well into there twenties (Masten, 2008). With binge drinking, or really any type of drinking, brain development can greatly be affected. This can then lead to a number of problems later on in life for not only the individual, but for those around them as well. If a person’s brain is not developed by age twenty-one, then imagine how undeveloped the brain is during someone’s teen years.

A lot of teens believe they are invincible and that these problems will never happen to them. In reality, teens that abstain from drinking will not be putting themselves in the position to receive brain damage, or crash from an automobile accident related to alcohol consumption, or any other adverse side-effect that results in drinking. Youths that choose to be alcohol free give themselves a better chance for a healthier more successful future.

There are many strategies to prevent underage drinking. Some of these include school-based activities like, skill training, multiple sessions about anti drugs, teacher training and support (Komro, 2011). Other strategies include extracurricular activities like youth leadership programs, intensive programs, and positive role models (Komro, 2011). Many of these programs coincide with one another and all of them relate to having a good role model or a sound home structure. The great part about a family strategy to prevent underage drinking, is that they don’t have to relate strictly to anti drinking and anti drug topics. A parent that is present and bonds with their kids and makes rules and disciplines their child is a highly effective preventative measure. Also, with support from there own family, children find less need to look elsewhere for support and won’t turn to the wrong people (Komro, 2011).With a strong family bond, children want to please there parents and want to succeed. Thus, making smart decisions and sustaining from drinking alcohol.

Work Cited Fact Sheets – Underage Drinking. (2013, December 26). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 2, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm

Komro, K., & Toomey, T. (2011, January 19). Strategies to Prevent Underage Drinking. The News. Retrieved February 5, 2014, from http://duiassessmentbellevue.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=50

Masten, A., Faden, V., Zucker, R., & Spear, L. (2008, April 1). Underage Drinking: A Developmental Framework.Underage Drinking: A Developmental Framework. Retrieved February 5, 2014, from http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/121/Supplement_4/S235.full.pdf+html