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Teen alcohol abuse is countywide problem

Linda Ogden, director of Marion County Communities in Schools, presented information Monday to Marion County Commission and Marion City Commission regarding teen abuse of alcohol.

Ogden said efforts were being made regarding public awareness of methamphetamine and other drugs, but primary drug of choice continues to be alcohol.

A video, "This Place," was shown by Ogden which depicted society's nonchalant approach of promoting the consumption of alcohol by teens through packaging and taste.

The video emphasized how teens have changed over the years — where the object is not to drink but to get drunk by drinking 12 to 15 shots per night.

Parents sometimes provide alcohol for their teens, thinking it is better to have them at home and drinking rather than out driving and drinking.

Festivals in some communities have turned to beer tents and alcohol company sponsorships.

Statistics show those who begin drinking as teens, are four times more likely than adults to become alcohol-dependent.

The video went on to show how individuals in various communities in the U.S. are trying to change public perception of drinking.

After the video was shown, Ogden said this was not a prohibition issue but an awareness issue.

Availability of alcohol for teens and poor supervision are the primary causes of the problem.

Statistics

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among America's youth. More young people drink alcohol than smoke tobacco or use marijuana.

Forty-three percent of Marion County students in grades six, eight, 10, and 12 reported they have tried alcohol at some time in their lives compared to 22 percent who have tried cigarettes.

Alcohol is a key contributor in the four leading causes of death among people under the age of 21 — traffic crashes, accidents, homicides, and suicides.

In Marion County, the average child begins to drink alcohol regularly just a few months after his/her 14th birthday which is younger than other children across the state or nation.

One in five eighth graders is a current drinker.

Each day, three teens in the U.S. die from drinking and driving, and at least six more die from other alcohol-related causes.

Underage drinking costs the U.S. $53 billion per year in medical care, lost productivity, and pain and suffering of young drinkers.

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