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Substance Abuse

Underage Drinking & Alcohol Use

Research shows:

Approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die each year in this nation as a result of underage drinking, which includes motor vehicle crashes, alcohol poisoning, and unintentional injuries according to Jill Spineti, President and CEO of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.

Parents who are actively involved in their kids’ lives and set clear rules and expectations on no alcohol use have a powerful influence on their children’s decision to remain alcohol-free. “What parents may not realize is that children say parental disapproval of underage drinking is the key reason they have chosen not to drink,” stated Charles Curie, former Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administrator, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Alcohol affects a teenager’s developing brain differently than an adult’s. Alcohol can damage kids’ brains and increase the risk of addiction. Memory, learning and impulse control can be seriously impaired leading to early addiction. One example is an adolescent brain is not fully formed. It has not yet developed the “shut-off” switch that adults have developed which makes a person get sleepy or pass out from too much alcohol—and thus stop drinking. As a result, most teens can drink dangerous amounts of alcohol before passing out — in most cases much more than an adult. It is important to know that the lethal dose of alcohol (that can cause death) is just a tiny bit more than the passing-out dose. This is called alcohol poisoning.

Underage Smoking and Nicotine Use

E-Cigarettes and Vaping

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are a form of nicotine inhaler. The majority of e-cigarettes on the market appear very similar to other tobacco products such as cigarettes or cigars. All e-cigarettes, however, contain a disposable cartridge with a nicotine solution that can either be replaced when the solution is exhausted or can be refilled by the user, depending on the device. E-cigarettes use heat to transform nicotine solution into vapors. The nicotine itself is processed and purified from tobacco leaves and is suspended in a solution, usually of glycerine or propylene glycol. The solution is vaporized with each puff on the e-cigarette. The inhaled nicotine enters the bloodstream via the respiratory tract.

An important question for pediatricians is whether nonsmoking teenagers will be attracted by the novelty or the perceived safety of e-cigarettes, take up the habit, and become addicted to nicotine. Candy-like flavors may be particularly appealing to children and adolescents. Because e-cigarettes are sold online, young people may have easy access for purchase, as most suppliers do not confirm the age of Internet customers.

Marijuana

Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention & Opiod Use