Underage Drinking Prevention
What Is Underage Drinking?
Underage drinking occurs when someone under the age of 21 consumes alcohol. Alcohol use at a young age can interfere with brain development. The human brain is not fully developed until about age 25, which makes early alcohol use especially harmful.
Preventing Underage Drinking
Talk It Up. Lock It Up!™
Talk It Up. Lock It Up!™ is a prevention strategy focused on reducing youth access to alcohol in the home.
According to national data, the most common source of alcohol for youth ages 12 to 14 is taking it from their own home or someone else’s home without permission.
This campaign uses a two-part approach:
- Encouraging open conversations between adults and youth about alcohol
- Promoting the importance of securing and monitoring alcohol in the home
Communities across North Carolina, many led by youth, have collected thousands of pledges from parents and adults who agree to lock up alcohol and reduce access.
Talk. They Hear You.
Talk. They Hear You. is a national campaign from SAMHSA that encourages parents and caregivers to start conversations early about the dangers of alcohol.
Through this campaign, you can access:
- Parent resources
- Interactive tools and games
- Tips for starting meaningful conversations
Get Free Alcohol Cabinet Locks
You can take action today to help prevent underage drinking.
Contact us at 252-991-7267 to receive free alcohol cabinet locks and help create a safer home environment.
Effects of Alcohol
Health Risk
Underage drinking can lead to serious and long-term consequences, including:
- Violent behavior
- Lack of coordination
- Impaired motor skills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Impaired judgment
- Liver damage
- Misuse of other substances
- Increased risk of physical and sexual assault
- Alcohol poisoning
- Addiction
- Depression
- Increased risk of cancer
- Brain damage and memory loss
- Higher risk of suicide and death
Alcohol and Cancer
Research shows a strong link between alcohol use and several types of cancer. These include:
- Head and neck cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
Click here to read more.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is a term used to describe a range of effects that can occur in individuals who were exposed to alcohol before birth.
These effects may include:
- Physical challenges
- Mental and behavioral difficulties
- Learning disabilities
Many individuals do not show physical signs but may experience brain-related impacts that can last a lifetime.
Click here to learn more.