April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. As we celebrate with the upcoming festivities (Carnival, Easter, etc.), let us continue to be aware of the possible over indulgence of alcohol consumption within our communities. Excessive alcohol consumption not only affects our adult populations, it also affects youths and children as well.
Did you Know:
More than 20% of underaged drinkers take their first drink before the age of 13.
Women who drink alcohol while pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Your liver can only process small amounts of alcohol.
Excessive alcohol leads to liver and other organ damage.
There is NO known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.
It only takes about 60 minutes for our bodies to process 10 oz of alcohol.
A standard drink is equal to 14.0 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol (5 oz wine, 1.5 oz shot or 12 oz beer).
Underage Drinking leads to:
o Impair judgement
o Increases the risk of alcohol problems later in life
o Increases the risk of sexual assault
o Interferes with brain development
o May lead to injury and/or DEATH
Underage Drinking Warning Signs:
o Rebellious nature.
o Low energy
o Slurred speech
o Mood changes
o Lack of interest in activities
o Academic problems
o Change in friends
Preventing Underage Drinking
o Family-based interventions allowing parents/guardians to set and enforce clear rules against drinking
o Community-based interventions that allow local coalitions that work to lessen the risk factors for alcohol misuse.
o School-based interventions provide students with the skills, knowledge and motivations needed to remain alcohol free.
Alcohol, when not used responsibly can cause so much hurt to our community. Let us continue to help one another. Adults drink responsibly. Parents talk to your children (both young and adolescents) about the dangers of drinking.
