Educating Teens About Alcohol Abuse

In April 2002, the Task Force of the National Advisory Council of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism issued a report regarding the serious problem of teen alcohol abuse. The task force acknowledged that alcohol use and misuse among teens is a complex issue that had been overlooked and poorly handled for many years. As a result of their inquiry, prevention educators now have a better understanding of the methods that have proven ineffective in combating alcohol abuse, and those that have had success.

One approach that stands out among the rest in its effectiveness is the "social norms" or normative education method. According to sociologist H. Wesley Perkins, student peer norms are the strongest influence on students' personal drinking habits, and students tend to think that their peers practice and support more alcohol use than is actually the case.

Question of the Day!

What are some of your thoughts on this H. Wesley Perkins views? Do you agree or disagree?

Let's talk about acute alcohol poisoning

A person suffering from acute alcohol poisoning will have cold, clammy and unusually pale or bluish skin. His breathing will be slow, usually less than 8 breaths a minute, and you will not be able to awaken him
Call 911 this is a medical emergency!

CPR for high school seniors?

Teen Alcohol Abuse is a Pervasive Problem in our Society!

Here is

What You Should Know About Teen Alcohol Abuse

• Alcohol is the most widely abused drug among teens today.
• Social acceptance and the alcohol industry's need for new drinkers are two of the biggest obstacles in combating teen alcohol abuse.
• Teen alcohol abuse is associated with:

Car Accidents

Sexual and other Violent Assaults

Drowning

Suicide

Impaired Brain Functioning and Memory Loss

• Alcohol abuse can also lead to death by acute alcohol poisoning as a result of binge drinking. It occurs when a person's blood alcohol level reaches .30-.40%.
• Binge drinking is having 4-5 drinks within a short period of time with the intent to get drunk.
• A person's blood alcohol level can continue to rise 30-90 minutes after they have stopped drinking.
• It takes the human body approximately 1 hour to process and eliminate the alcohol of 1 drink.
• Educating parents, teens, and the community about the serious consequences of teen alcohol abuse is essential to prevention.

Question of the Day

Do you think Basic CPR should be part of the senior high school health education curriculum?