Communication Studies Speech

ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG TEENAGERS

My topic under discussion is ‘Alcohol Abuse among Teenagers’. The study focuses mainly on the factors that influence the abuse of alcohol among teenagers and the negative effects associated with this problem. This topic has sparked my interest because of statistics showing that approximately seventy percent (70%) of teenagers drink alcohol and sixty percent (60%) of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related in the United States. This problem can also be seen in the Caribbean and, in recent years, seems to be getting worse. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down the function of the central nervous system. It alters a person’s perceptions, emotions, movement, vision and hearing. In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that result in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. From my research I was able to pull out key factors that are necessary for my study. The causes of and the negative effects associated with alcohol abuse among teenagers were identified and noted because of its relevance to the study. Peer pressure, experimentation, stress resulting from both at school and home and even the following of their parents’ trend all seem to be causes of alcohol abuse by teens. Some negative effects associated with alcohol abuse include the damaging of the liver and the brain, the will to engage in other high-risk activities, alcohol poisoning and the risk of becoming a victim to crime. One of the major negative effects that results from alcohol abuse is that it interferes with a young person’s ability to perform well at school which will have serious implications for their future. Only a few limitations were faced in obtaining information for this study. My sources were taken from various places and have proven their reliability by the information that they have provided. The sources of information I chose include two secondary sources. The secondary sources are an article from a local newspaper and another one that was published online. The major limitation that I faced while conducting my study was to locate and obtain information on alcohol abuse among teens in the Caribbean. However, a wealth of information on the topic was available on the internet in relation to the United States. The sources of information were based on the relevance to the topic. In evaluating my sources, I looked at the validity, reliability and credibility of them. The first article that was chosen was “Parents’ Behaviour ‘Can Influence Teen Drinking” that was found in The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. This is a reputable source which can add to the article’s credibility. Also, the article is fairly recent allowing it to be fairly reliable. The second article was labeled as “A Staggering Statistics of Teenage Drunk Driving” written by an expert author which proves that the information provided is credible. The information was also written recently making it reliable. Both secondary sources of information provided me with statistics and a deeper understanding of my topic that proved beneficial to my study. The sources chosen were analyzed and necessary information was extracted to be included it into my presentation. In conclusion, I have learnt that there are many reasons as to why teenagers turn to alcohol and, therefore, abuse the drug and the dangers that result from this abuse. This research has informed me on the topic and made me fully aware of this serious problem that young persons face in our society today. Also, it has pointed out the ignorance of the adults in society that are unaware of this problem among the younger generation.
SOURCES

Parents’ Behaviour ‘Can Influence Teen Drinking’- Published in The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper

Children who see their parents drunk are twice as likely to regularly get drunk themselves, a survey of young teenagers has suggested. Poor parental supervision also raises the likelihood of teenage drinking, said the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The Ipsos MORI survey found the behaviour of friends is also a powerful factor in predicting drinking habits. The more time teenagers spend with friends, the more likely they are to drink alcohol, it suggested. In a survey of 5,700 children aged 13 to 16, carried out for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, researchers found one in five claimed to have been drunk by the time they were 14. By the age of 16, half of those questioned said they had been drunk.

Influences But the study also looked at what influences excessive teen drinking, and the habits of parents seem to be particularly powerful. The odds of a teenager getting drunk repeatedly is twice as great if they have seen their parents under the influence, even if only a few times. And the authors say that parental supervision is also important—if parents don’t know where their children are on a Saturday night, or let them watch 18 certificate films unsupervised, they are more likely to have had an alcoholic drink. Teenagers’ friends also have a significant impact on drinking behaviour. The odds of a teenager drinking to excess more than double if they spend more than two evenings a week with friends. Spending every evening with friends multiplies the odds of excessive drinking more than four times. Pamela Bremner from Ipsos MORI, the lead author of the report, said: “For the first time in the UK, this study ranks what most influences young people’s drinking behaviour. “It found that the behaviour of friends and family is the most common influential factor in determining how likely and how often a young person will drink alcohol.”

Conflicting evidence But there is conflicting evidence on how to introduce young people to alcohol, leaving parents with some difficult questions unanswered. Researchers found mixed messages about the ideal age and ways of introducing teenagers to alcohol. Generally, those introduced to alcohol at a very young age had greater odds of being a regular drinker and of having been drunk multiple times. But there were differences in the pattern for young people of different ages. “This research shows that parents can have more influence on their teenagers’ behaviour than perhaps many assumed,” said Claire Turner, programme manager for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. “Both what parents say, and how they behave, have a strong impact on their teenagers’ drinking, drinking regularly, and drinking to excess. “Being introduced to alcohol at a very young age, for example, under ten years old, makes it more likely that they will drink and drink to excess as teenagers. “But there are differences in patterns across the group. So for the older teenagers, if they are introduced to alcohol later in life via friends, away from adult supervision, they are also more likely to drink to excess.”
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said the report confirms that from the beginning of a child’s life parents have a strong influence on their children’s future drinking patterns. “Parents have to realise and accept that whether intended or not, their own attitudes towards drinking, their own rate of drinking and any drunkenness are clear signals to children that this is acceptable and standard behaviour. “In addition, parents must accept that allowing children to drink unsupervised can increase the risk of their children being drunk and this can have harmful consequences. “Government ministers must also look at some of the causes of why it is so easy for children to obtain alcohol, usually from the home. “Government should look to see if they’ve done everything they can to stop the large supermarkets from continuing to heavily promote cheap alcohol which incentivises more alcohol purchases and therefore results in more alcohol being stored in the home.” The Royal College of Physicians also said it was not surprised that being able to access alcohol easily was an important influencing factor on current drinking patterns and drunken-ness of teenagers. A statement said: “This shows that the government needs to concentrate on increasing the price per unit of alcohol and reducing its availability as their main priorities, and in addition to increase education and national campaigns for both young people and their families on the dangers of alcohol.”

A Staggering Statistics of Teenage Drunk Driving- Written by Andy Taylor

"One out of 10 children ages 12 and 13 uses alcohol at least once a month. In a single year, 522 children under age 14 were arrested for driving while intoxicated, (113 of them were under 10 years old). 70 percent of all teenagers drink alcohol. 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 17,000 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents in the United States last year, a rate of one person every 30 minutes. Even more alarmingly, almost 1/3 of the 15- to 20-year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. had been drinking. Statistics show that approximately 70% of all teenagers drink alcohol, including 1 out of 10 children between the ages of 12 and 13.

Safeguards against Underage Drunk Driving: Parents and older siblings must be aware that they are role models to younger family members, and should be cognizant of what kind of examples they set in regard to both their driving and drinking habits. Restricting access to liquor and automobiles at home may be an effective preventative measure in the short term, but it is even more advisable to confront your son(s) and/or daughter(s) about the serious risks involved with underage drinking. • Whether driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle, always wear a seatbelt! • If you see vehicles that are speeding excessively or swerving, try to get a license plate number and call your Sheriff’s Office, the local or state police. • If a person has too much to drink and insists on getting behind the wheel, do not get into the vehicle. • If you are going to an event where alcohol will be served, take public transportation like buses or taxis, if possible. • Regardless of your age, if you believe you may have a drinking problem, consult a school counselor, health professional, or an alcohol support group (for example, Alcoholics Anonymous).

In reaction to teenage drunk driving statistics, states have enacted harsher penalties to punish teens that drink and drive. Most states have adopted zero tolerance laws which make it a crime for a teenager to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any amount of alcohol. In addition to harsh penalties for teenage drunk driving, it is also a crime in most states for a minor to drink, possess, transport, buy or even try to buy alcohol. Parents can be penalized for furnishing alcohol to minors, especially in cases where teenage drunk driving was involved. Teenage drunk drivers also face some serious legal consequences that will harm them into their adult lives. They face revocation of their driving privileges, stiff fines, probation, alcohol education and treatment, and community service not to mention potential jail/prison time for a severe offense. If you have been involved in a teenage drunk driving incident, you may wish to speak to a qualified attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and options in a case. Because the laws vary by state and circumstance, a knowledgeable attorney can best help protect your interests in a teenage drunk driving case."