By Katherine Koenig
It’s been nearly four years since Susan and Dan last heard their son’s voice after his high school graduation in the Northeast Valley. Instead of sending him off to college, they buried him days later after he died in an alcohol-relatedaccident..
“We are a broken family picking up the pieces still,” says Susan. “It’s a profound loss that has touched so many lives. No words can describe what it feels to live without him.”
Like so many states, Arizona faces an epidemic that continues to plague communities from one end of the state to the other. According to M.A.D.D. statistics, underage drinking has become widespread, with more than a quarter million underage drinkers yearly in Arizona. With these statistics, Arizona is becoming more aggressive in prosecuting underage drinking violations.
Arizona has a zero-tolerance law for anyone drinking under the age of 21. If someone under the age of 21 is suspected of drunk driving, a blood alcohol content of only .01 may be enough to warrant arrest. (stopduiaz.com)
In other words, for a person who is under the age of 21, driving with ANY alcohol in the system is a crime even if they are not impaired. A first offense includes a mandatory two-year license suspension, court fees and court ordered counseling. Juveniles who injure or kill someone while driving impaired face significant penalties including lengthy prison sentences.
Sobering Facts
• Among alcoholics nationwide, more than half report becoming addicted before age 21.
• Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year olds.
• Adolescent alcohol use triples the chance for high–risk sex (having multiple sexual partners, failing to use condoms and having unplanned sex).
Unsafe, Illegal and Irresponsible
Health researchers now know that the brain is still building neuro-pathways through the early 20s. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can seriously damage short and long-term growth in the teenage brain, according to the American Medical Association, essentially hard-wiring kids for addiction later in life.
Underage drinking is not just a youth problem. It is also very much an adult problem. Adults continue to allow those under the legal drinking age to drink illegally by selling, providing or purchasing alcohol. It’s time to stop looking the other ways when teens openly talk about their drinking exploits, and hold both adults and youth accountable for breaking the law.
The Scottsdale Prevention Institute offers a Chemical Awareness Diversion Program for both middle school and high school students who have been caught using drugs or alcohol on or off campus. For information, visit spi-az.org.
For additional information and resources, visit azsadd.org or stopalcoholabuse.gov.
