Underage alcohol abuse affecting Missouri's and nation's youth

The ad campaign reads, "Kids who drink before age 15 are 5 times more likely to have alcohol problems when they are adults."

On Friday April 7, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sheldon High School hosted an awareness night that brought together many local officials and hosted family fun. The event drew 120 people.

The children had been prepped and taught during the week about alcoholism, the effects of and the consequences of alcoholic abuse. Parents are and were encouraged to talk to their children and to be just that -- a parent.

Alcohol can impair the teenage brain, it can impair motor coordination, this includes the ability to walk, drive, and process information. Also, it lowers impulse control. Drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the chances that a person will do something that they will regret when they are sober. Memory and judgment are also impaired when alcohol enters the system. The prevalence of alcohol dependency is highest in the 18-20 year old range and 21-24 age groups according to a government survey. Parents are also encouraged to know that children who begin drinking before age 15 are 12 times more likely to be injured while under the influence of alcohol and are 10 times more likely to be in a fight after drinking, compared with those who wait until they are 21. Also, more than 67 percent of young people who start drinking before the age of 15 will try an illicit drug.

Children who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use any illicit drug, according to studies. The standards for adult moderation in alcohol consumption are defined as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

Parents are encouraged to share their personal beliefs with their child. Sharing family history relating to alcohol is said to create an environment of trust and understanding. Parents are also told that they need to be aware of what is going on in their homes. This information was given to parents at the Adults Pulling for Teens meeting.

Role playing is encouraged as well to get the child into an interactive, comfortable situation involving alcohol abuse and other issues.

Brandi Kittowski, a student at Sheldon, said, "We learned that alcohol affects a lot of people in our class. The hands-on activities helped me learn more and about how it affects me."

The students were given a family fun night that included games, prizes and a community get together. Beer goggles -- special glasses that simulate vision impairment that occurs in people under the influence of alcohol -- were also on display in order to let children show their parents what they had learned during the past week about how alcohol can impact one's ability to function, and to allow the parents to participate in the event with their children.

Dorothy Walker of Sheldon said of the event. "I think it's a good thing for adults and kids."

For more information on how to speak to your children about Alcohol abuse and drug dependency call the SAMHA National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline at (800) 662-HELP (4357).

Hotline staff will offer information, support, treatment options and referrals to local rehab centers for any drug or alcohol problem.

Also, the National Youth Crisis Hotline, (800) 442-HOPE, provides counseling and referrals to local drug treatment centers, shelters and counseling services, they are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.