MONTGOMERY – April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. “Give Children a Chance—End Underage Drinking” is the theme of this month-long grassroots campaign sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), that encourages communities throughout the United States to focus on the problems associated with underage drinking. “Alcohol Awareness Month should serve to remind us that alcohol is legal for those 21 years of age and older and even though it is a socially accepted part of our culture, alcohol is an addictive mind-altering drug.” said Kent Hunt, Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Associate Commissioner for Substance Abuse Services.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), alcohol is the number one drug of choice for American children between the ages of 12 to 17. “In a recent survey of approximately 99,000 students in Alabama, 62% of 9th graders, 68% of 10th graders, 73% of 11th graders, and 76% of 12th graders reported experimenting with alcohol,” said Hunt. AAP research also shows that alcohol is a leading factor in teen automobile crashes, suicides, and homicides—the three leading causes of teen deaths. In fact, alcohol-related car accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers.

The NCADD states that teens feel that drinking is “cool” and that it helps them to relax in a world filled with stress. Often, both teenagers and parents view drinking as a “rite of passage.” “Adults should pay close attention to the signals they are sending to young people regarding the seriousness of alcohol use,” warns Hunt. AAP research reveals that some parents are even thankful when they find out that their teenager is “only drinking alcohol” and not taking drugs. They erroneously think that consuming alcoholic beverages such as beer is “not that bad.” Studies show that just the opposite is true.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), alcohol (of any type) is a very dangerous drug and the health and social consequences of its use can be harmful to children in many ways. The brain goes through dynamic change during adolescence, and alcohol can interfere with its normal development. Research findings show that alcohol can cause permanent physical and psychological impairment. In school, adolescent drinkers have poor academic performance, score worse on vocabulary and memory retrieval tests, and have trouble recalling verbal information. Young people who drink have an increased risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, and strokes. AMA research also found that underage drinking can be linked with early sexual activity, which is accompanied with an elevated risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies. Research findings from the AAP go on to show that more than 43% of teenagers who began drinking before age 14 later became alcoholics.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence offers the following warning signs to help parents detect if their child may have a problem with alcohol:

• Smell of alcohol on breath, or sudden frequent use of breath mints.

• Sudden changes in mood or attitude.

• Decline in attendance and performance, and an increase in disciplinary problems at school.

• Loss of interest in family, friends, sports, or other important activities.

• Secrecy about actions, possessions, or a new group of friends.

“During fiscal year 2001-2002 the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, through contracted community programs, admitted 2,746 adolescents (19 and under) for substance abuse treatment and provided prevention education services to approximately 75,000 children and adolescents,” said Hunt. “However, prevention efforts must start and continue at home.”

RESOURCES
For more information on Alcohol Awareness Month visit the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) website at www.ncadd.org.

To obtain more information about the American Academy of Pediatrics and other issues that affect children visit www.aap.org.

For more information on the American Medical Association visit www.ama-assn.org.

Information on substance abuse services in the state of Alabama can be obtained by contacting the DMH/MR Substance Abuse Service Division at (334)242-3961 or visit us online at www.mh.state.al.us.