CITIZENS RALLYING FOR CHANGE ON ALCOHOL

Youths aged 12 to 17 who lived in rural areas were less likely to perceive great risk from having four or five drinks of alcohol nearly every day than those who lived in non-rural areas.

Youths in rural areas were less likely than youths in non-rural areas to strongly disapprove of someone their own age having one or more drinks nearly every day or to report that their parents would strongly disapprove if he or she were to have one or more drinks nearly every day.

These youth are at high risk for acute negative physical and social consequences due to their alcohol consumption.  They are also at increased risk for poor school attendance and grades as well as long-term consequences such as alcohol dependence, and derailed academic and vocational trajectories.

Causes of underage and binge drinking in rural areas can be, but not limited to, economic factors, lack of employment, lack of involvement in school activities, lack of community activities, no parental supervision or parents who drink themselves, being predisposed to alcoholism, media, and peer pressure.

40% of a national sample of pediatricians and family doctors reported that they screened their adolescent patients for alcohol use and only 52% provided alcohol education (Marcell et al. 2002). The situation is worse in rural areas where primary care may be less available and the need to deliver early adolescent prevention services greater.

What can be done to discourage children from using drugs and alcohol?

Everyone can help educate children on the dangers of illegal drugs and alcohol. 

In particular, by

• reducing the availability of alcohol.
• promoting responsible adult behavior.
• holding adults accountable when providing alcohol to minors.
• enforcing laws designed to stop drinking among children and adults.
• changing social norms about what children see in their homes.
• as well as in the media regarding drugs and alcohol, all lend a hand to this cause. 

You can visit:

Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free
An initiative to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages nine to 15.  This program provides information for parents, teachers, signs for health care workers to look for, legislative action, reports and more

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Has numerous websites along with materials for children and teens that may be used with parents and teachers

Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center
Provides services to assist states and local communities in efforts to combat underage drinking and related problems though enforcement of alcohol laws