2012 MICHAEL A. DEMAYO SCHOLARSHIP - SUBMITTED BY DAKOTA PALACIO
THINK
before you
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
DR I N K
The Drinking Game
Real? Not Real?
CONTENTS
2
AMY’S STORY
True story of how drinking and
driving changed lives forever.
3
WHAT IF
Challenges tween and teen may
face regarding drinking and
driving
4
IT ALL STARTS WITH
ONE SIP
We are seeing alcohol use in
younger age children.
5
OTHER RISK FACTORS
What drives kids to drink?
6
CONSEQUENCES OF
UNDERAGE DRINKING
Take a look at some of the legal
and health issues surrounding
underage drinking
7
Q&A
Here are the answers to some
common questions about
drinking
8
CITATIONS
Sources
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
With society and media glamorizing drinking and other adult behaviors, teens
have fallen into the danger zone. With few outlets to express their growth from
childhood to adulthood in positive ways. Far too many take on negative
behaviors in the attempt to appear mature or to mimic what they see and
believe to be cool behavior. Unfortunately, this leads many tweens and teens to
life threatening situations as many begin drinking in their pre-teens. In essence,
we truly are playing The Hunger Games with our youth; however, it would be
more appropriately tagged in our society as ‘the drinking game’. In the light of
the ever popular set of books The Hunger Games can your teen answer the
follow as real or not real? The first step to good decisions is reality and fact.
• Each year as a result of drinking 5,000 youth lose their
lives?
• Teens that drink are at risk of life-long alcohol abuse?
• Every year 1,900 teens under 21 lose their lives from
under age drinking and related accidents?
• Fatal crashes involving younger drivers (16-20) are more
likely than drivers over 21?
• High school students that consume are more likely to
attempt suicide?
• Drinking coffee, showering or a big meal can drop your
blood alcohol level quickly?
• Girls are more likely to have higher blood alcohol levels
that boys who drink the same amount?
• Every year, 900,000 people are incarcerated for DUI/DWI?
• Tweens between g rades 6 and 10 have the largest gain
when it comes to drinking?
• If you drink you should wait 45 minutes per alcoholic drink
and add 15 additional minutes if you’re female?
The above answers are as follows:
1.) Real, 2.) Real, 3.) Real, 4.) Real, 5.) Real, 6.) Not Real, 7.) Real, 8.) Real, 9.) Real 10.) Real
Now, the question is will you choose to be safe?
Real? Not Real?
1
Amy’s Story
I don’t remember much about that
awful day. I was five years old and my
mother and sister and I were coming
home from dinner with friends and
family. It was dark and I was sleepy. I
wanted to unbuckle but my mother said
“Absolutely not.” but I continued to beg.
I wanted to lay down in the back seat.
After a great deal of effort, she finally
gave in and allowed me to unbuckle
and lay down. I must have fallen
asleep because all I remember next
was falling. The car was spinning and
turning upside down. The world
erupted into chaos of scraping metal
and breaking glass. I heard screams
and mom say “Oh my God!” I could
feel my body slamming into the seats
into the glass and the hard sides of
the car. Then everything was silent.
The car gave a metallic moan like a
dying animal and sank into it’s final
resting place. I staggered onto my
elbows disoriented and trying to
remember which way was up.
Suddenly, water started filling the car
my hands started to submerge in
water that was entering through the
broken windows and the bent doors.
We landed in a river and the front of
the car was starting to fill up. My
fingers frantically grabbed at mom
and my sister’s clothes, who were
both in the front seat. My nails dug
into their jacket and shirt but I
couldn’t move them. I pulled and pulled
until I thought my hands and fingers
would snap. I was too little and not
strong enough. My mom was barely
awake and I looked down into her sad
eyes. She mouthed the words, “Get out”
and motioned to the broken window. I
climbed out and had second thoughts
turning back to the car. She growled at
me to “Go.” The problem was, I didn’t
know where to go. I stood there but
mom wasn’t speaking any more and I
couldn’t see my sister. I struggled
clutching at the muddy ground but I
made it up the bank. Suddenly there was
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
a man calling for help. I looked at him
and could see fear in his eyes. He took
his coat off, quickly wrapped me up and
sat me in his back seat. The car was dark
and I was cold and wet. I could feel the
handfuls of cold, wet mud caught in my
clothes. The yellow flashing lights scared
me. He said, “Stay here.” I decided to
listen and watched as he ran down the
bank. I couldn’t see him for a long time
but it wasn’t long before the police and
tears in his eyes. I didn’t understand
until I got older.
other help showed up. The police man
looked at me in the car and said, “Stay
here.” I had got that already and I
nodded feeling alone and trapped in this
car. I could see him and other people
headed down the bank. I wanted my
mommy and sissy. The red and blue
flashing lights scared me more than the
yellow ones did because of the loud
screaming siren.
My mother and sister were pulled
out and taken to the nearest hospital.
My sister was pronounced dead on
arrival (DOA) but my mother was
critical. She was struggling to breath
because of all the water and mud that
got into her lungs they explained to me.
I still didn’t understand and just knew
they could fix that by wiping it out.
My mom woke up and talked to
family but all she would say was she
had to go take care of sissy and that
she loved me. That was the last
time I heard my mom say anything.
A drunk driver ran us off the road
that night and didn’t even stop to
see what happened. I don’t know
what it is like to have a mother or
sister as a teenager or adult because
someone choose to drink and
drive. They were stolen from me.
There is not a day that goes by that
I don’t wish I could rewind time and
change it. Please don’t be the
person that leaves anyone else in
this situation. Far too many things
can happen that can’t be un-done.
I guess I’ll spend some of my life
wondering what if it wouldn’t have
happened. What if I would have
kept my seatbelt on and would I
have been trapped too and got to go
to Heaven with them? Then I
wouldn’t be alone here. Would they
have made it if I would have tried
harder to pull them out? Why would a 5
year old be left behind to have so many
questions when they are not old enough
to understand the choices made that day.
Please choose to be safe. Please make a
choice to never drink and drive and
better yet, just don’t drink. Life is too
precious and more importantly it can’t
be changed or redone.
Later the man who gave me the
coat came up the hill covered in mud.
He was wet and shivering and he had
*This is a true story and names
have been removed or changed to
protect the innocent.
2
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
What if...
Think Before You React
Hey, we’re having a party at Molly’s. Her parents are
Well you’re not going to get home if you don’t get in
going away for the weekend and her brother is going to
his girlfriend’s. We’ll have the place to ourselves.
besides nothing is going to happen.
If you’re ever at a party or event and find yourself in a
situation that is uncomfortable just call home. Parents may be
angry due to their worry over your safety but they will come get
you and keep you safe. If someone has been drinking, don’t get in
the car even if it is a sibling, friend or
parent. Call for help, just don’t get in
the car. You can repair relationships
but you can’t repair death or some
to drink because
injuries due to drunk driving.
Even though it might sound exciting to have some
unsupervised time with friends without someone to say don’t, stop
it or even cut it out. You might think on this invitation a bit
longer and figure out what might be
taking place that you wouldn’t want
parents or a responsible adult to see
or overhear. The best rule is if you
They choose not
can’t say it to your parents or friends
its unhealthy, against the law,
parents, then it is more than likely not
worth doing and the resulting trouble
uncool and parents warned them
it might create. Just say, “Thanks but
not to drink. Know you are not
no thanks.” Perhaps take in a movie
alone. Others youth say:
with friends that are choosing healthy
options.
Peers are saying...
You’re not cool. You are a
goody-goody and won’t do
anything fun.
Those types of statements only come
from people that want you to join
•
(62%)
It
is
not
healthy
them in the decisions they have made.
Here, try this! It is the bomb.
If it were jumping off a building the
•
(57%) It is against the law
Never take something or try
answer would be more easy, a simple
•
(54%) My parents said no
something that you are unsure of
“No, are you crazy.” However, when
what it is. Ask what it is and then
•
(49%) It is uncool
trying a drink or drugs it seems more
decline. There are too many drugs
harmless as most tweens and teens
•
(24%) Afraid of getting in trouble
and diseases out there to take a
don’t have enough life experience to
•
(22%) It would hurt my athletic
chance on something you have no
know what can happen nor have they
idea where it came from or has been.
experience loosing many around
performance
Being cool is standing up for yourself
them from such actions. The answer
Source: The Century Council, TRU, Omnibuzz February 2003
and knowing who you are! Be too
to these types of statements should
smart to start!
be, No! No more has to be said, just
don’t go there. It’s peer pressure.
Come on, let’s go for a ride. We’ll be back before they
get home. I’ve only had one beer and I feel great.
One beer is one too many for anyone driving. Also, if
someone has to sneak out to drive then that is a warning signal
right there. You could go and nothing happen or you could go
and never return. Don’t play life lottery. You’re far to special to
do something so foolish. If you want to go, just ask and explain
why it is so important and someone responsible will take you. If
you act responsible you will get to do far more than if you cheat
or sneak around. To those that act responsible goes the freedoms.
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
Life is about choices and you have the right to choose
which path you will take.
The hardest part of growing up is learning who you are and
what you believe in. To do this you have to trust your heart, your
head and follow the values you believe. You will be tested by
others who are still trying to find themselves. This is because far
too often we fool ourselves into believing we are doing the right
thing if others agree with us. This is not always true. The best
things in life are free: Love, Kindness, Compassion and Respect.
3
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
IT STARTS WITH ONE SIP...
“ By the time they reach the eighth grade, nearly 50 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink, and over 20 percent
report having been “drunk.” Approximately 20 percent of 8th graders and almost 50 percent of 12th graders have consumed
alcohol within the past 30 days. Among 12th graders, almost 30 percent report drinking on 3 or more occasions per month.
Approximately 30 percent of 12th graders engage in heavy episodic drinking, now popularly termed “binge” drinking—that is,
having at least five or more drinks on one occasion within the past 2 weeks—and it is estimated that 20 percent do so on more
than one occasion.”
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Many teens and tweens say that they have only had one sip
of an alcoholic beverage before. It starts with one sip. From
the moment that one sip is taken it starts, the pressure to fit in
and be cool, the pressure to be like everyone else, the pressure to
take another sip, then the pressure to have just one drink, then
the pressure to have another. This grows and snowballs until
suddenly you are under the influence and being pressured to
either do something you wouldn’t normally want to do or you,
yourself, are pressuring someone else to follow along.
It’s after the first sip that the thought starts to haunt you
“The first sip wasn’t that bad. What could it hurt, if I just had
one drink?” Eventually, that thought might become “I’ve only
had one and I feel okay, I can drive home.”
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
“EVERY MINUTE SOMEONE
IS INJURED IN AN ALCOHOL
RELATED CAR ACCIDENT.”
and it all started with one sip.
4
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
Other Risk Factors
Money
The almighty dollar has its advantages
and disadvantages for teens. Some use
funds well and learn to manage money
while others simply feel the need to spend.
Studies show tweens and teens that receive
$25 or more in allowances a week are twice
as likely to spend it on alcohol or drugs and
they are even more likely than teens without
those funds to get drunk.
Stress
Adults will not argue that tween and teen
years are stressful. It is a time of growth that too
many find they are no longer a child and yet they
are not quite an adult. There is pressure from
teachers, parents and friends to make all kinds of
decisions that seem life changing and in-fact some
are. Studies show high stressed teens are more
likely to drink, smoke and/or do illegal drugs.
Bored
Peer Pressure
For a teen with a growing mind and
abundant energy, it is hard to find healthy
options. Some require money such as
movies, shopping, sports and other activities
so it becomes difficult for a young creative
mind and many get bored. Studies show
bored teens are 50% more likely to drink,
smoke and/or do illegal drugs.
As teens are making the transition from child
to adult they will find their peers experimenting
and trying new things. Some things are good like
new music and clothes but when drugs and
drinking enter the picture the consequences
become even more severe. Teens are highly
influenced by things around them including
parents, friends and media and are more likely to
drink if exposed to these outlets. It is a natural
desire for a human to want to belong and fit in, it
is classified as one of our needs for survival
alongside shelter, food and water.
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
5
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
9 OUT OF 10
TEENS SAY
DRINKING IS NOT
WORTH THE
CONSEQUENCES
“I couldn’t live with myself if
I hurt someone else or killed
them because I chose to
drink and drive.” ~ Dakota
Consequences of Underage Drinking
Law Enforcement
• If you are under the age of 21 it is illegal to consume any
form of alcohol
• A class 3 misdemeanor if you are underage and purchase,
sell, give or serve alcohol.
• It is illegal to drive or control any motor vehicle if you
have consumed any form of alcohol.
• The production, sell, and use of fake IDs to obtain alcohol
or to enter an establishment that sells alcohol is a class 1
misdemeanor.
• This could result in a suspended driving privileges,
juvenile court hearings, fines, required counseling and / or
community service.
School Suspension
• Drinking will not only result in possible physical, legal and
emotional damage but can also be translated into academic
punishment including:
• Athletic / Sports Team Suspension
• Club Suspension
• Etc.
Parents and Family Punishment
• Your parents and family will be highly disappointed in
your actions. After you did not heed their warnings they will
also enforce their punishments.
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
Health Consequences
• Injuries induced by being under the influence of alcohol
including:
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Homicide
• Suicide
• Sexual Assault
Alterations
in hormone production
•
• Brain damage - including short-term memory damage
• Liver damage
• Addiction - alcohol is one of the leading causes for other
drug addiction such as:
• Cocaine
• Heroine
• Marijuana
• Alcoholism
Living with the Consequences of My Actions
• Could you live with yourself if you knew that the cause of
someone’s death was your driving under the influence?
• How would you feel if someone you knew was killed
because of a drunk driver?
• The same goes for sexual assault, homicide, suicide and
addiction.
• The negatives outweigh the positives
6
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
Q&A
What are Zero Tolerance Laws?
All fifty states have Zero Tolerance Laws for underage drinking and driving,
meaning you can be charged with DUI with much lower alcohol content. The smallest
amount of alcohol can result in conviction.
If kids can vote, work and join the
Yes, kids can work at age 14, vote at 18 and even join the military in the United
States; however, studies have shown that 21 is the legal drinking age because it assists to
delay the onset of alcohol usage and reduces alcohol related injuries and deaths in
teens. Studies have also shown it reduces the changes of alcohol addiction and alcohol
abuse.
military then why wait to 21 to be able
to drink?
My parents (sibling, friends, etc.)
drink, if they do then why isn’t it okay
for me?
We as children naturally look to our parents for guidance. They were the ones
who have taught us the basic skills of life as well as what is right and wrong. It is hard
to think that something is bad when you see the person that you love doing it. Ask
them their opinion of what they think is reasonable drinking and what is considered
unreasonable drinking. Look into your own perspective, think about what we have
talked about. What do you think is right and wrong?
As far as friends, friends come and go and true friends should be able to tell each
other how they feel. Open up to them and tell them how you feel about drinking. Tell
them about the negative things that come from drinking. You ultimately decide your
own decisions for your life. Friends and sometimes even parents don’t fully understand
your goals and ambitions in life. It’s your job to look at the big picture. Are you going
to let something as foolhardy as drinking jeopardize it?
How many people die from alcohol
related crashes?
How many people die from teen
alcohol abuse a year?
People say that if you drink you are
more likely to drop out of school... I
know Honors Students who drink....
My friends want to go out tonight and
they say their won’t be any drinking
involved... I think they’re just saying
One person every 50 minutes dies in an alcohol related car crash.
Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.
Approximately 6,000 people each year will die from teen alcohol-related car
crashes.
It is true that students, mainly in high school that drink or use other drugs are five
times more likely to drop out. Alcohol is a distraction, it causes students to lose track of
their goals and grades. When you’re drunk you aren’t thinking correctly and you might
do things that you would never ever have done if you were thinking clearly.
As far as these “Honors” Students that drink and drive, to truly be an Honors
Student you must have the same morals in the classroom that you do outside the
classroom and I think that you will find that there is more to their good grades than
what appears.
Trust your instincts, if you feel you shouldn’t go then don’t go. If you want to go
and still have reservations be prepared to call an adult or a taxi to get home. Don’t stay
in a situation that you feel unsafe in.
that to get me to go.
How do I spot a drunk driver on the
road?
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
While you are driving, if you see someone you suspect is driving while impaired it
is best to pull over and call the authorities. Don’t stay on the road because you could be
in danger. Look out for: weaving, drifting in and out of lanes, swerving, driving into
oncoming traffic, almost hitting / hitting an object or vehicle, stopping abruptly, and
driving without headlights at night.
7
Citations
"Alcohol Alert." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Apr. 2003. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://
drawyourline.com/upload/file/16/UAD-factsheet_legal-health2.pdf>.
Bloody Windshield . ShutterStock. Web. 1 Jan. <http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?
lang=en&search_source=search_form&version=llv1&anyorall=all&safesearch=1&searchterm=car+crash
TEEN DRINKING & DRIVING
IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS...
Or if you just want to talk...
If you have questions on anything
related to drinking and driving
check out these organizations and
help-hot lines below.
+death&search_group=&orient=&search_cat=&searchtermx=&photographer_name=&people_gender=&people_age=&p
eople_ethnicity=&people_number=&commercial_ok=&color=&show_color_wheel=1#id=61164907>.
Bored Teen. Help This Kid. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://helpthiskid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/
BoredTeen-300x199.jpg>.
Drunk Driving - Keys and Cuffs. iStock. Web. 1 Jan. <http://community.allstate.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/
SADD
Students Against Drunk Driving
Look for their help services and
online chat room to discuss
problems and stories with other
families and victims at
http://www.sadd.org
38-1418-1473/iStock-Drunk-Driving.jpg>.
Drunk Driving Parking Space. DUI.com. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.dui.com/dui-library/images/drunk-
Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services
Administration
driving.jpg>.
"Health and Legal Consequences of Underage Drinking." Draw Your Line. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://
drawyourline.com/upload/file/16/UAD-factsheet_legal-health2.pdf>.
"How to spot a drunk driver." MADD. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.madd.org/statistics/>.
Call their number at
1.800.622.HELP (available 24/7)
National Council on
Alcoholism
800.622.2255
(available 24/7)
Money Bag. The One. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.wowkindness.com/confluence/download/attachments/87228424/
money-bags.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1303046163400.jpg>.
Alcohol and Drug Helpline
800.527.5344
Peer Pressure. Drug Free Homes. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.drugfreehomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/
peer-pressure.jpg>.
Alcohol Addiction
NC - 252.364.3119
"Statistics." MADD. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.madd.org/statistics/>.
Stressed Girl. EduGuide. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.eduguide.org/education/article_images/
istock_rushonphotography-1-depressed-teen-girl-hand-in-hair-c.jpg>.
Thumbs Down. Flickr. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1171/894713719_9799b811e4_z.jpg>.
Why Do Kids Drink Graph. The Century Council. Web. 1 Jan. <http://www.centurycouncil.org/underage-drinking/what-
HopeLine of North
Carolina
919.231.4525
TRAIL (Taking Responsible
Actions In Life)
http://www.cabarrushealth.org/
trail
youth-say-about-alcohol>.
TEENAGE DRINKING & DRIVING
8