An estimated 5,000 people below the legal age of 21 die each year as a result of alcohol-related injuries. Whether these injuries include automobiles, boats, falls or drownings, there is one common denominator.
Alcohol.
Fortunately, there’s a local group looking to make sure this area doesn’t contribute to the statistics.
The Auburn Coalition Targeting Underage Drinking held a public forum with a number of city, school and health officials Monday evening to discuss the issue on a local level.
Let’s not fool ourselves, there’s a good number of underage drinkers right here in our backyard. Not only is college life part of the drinking culture (it happens in most college towns), but having a Bud at a Saturday night party is also very chic among high-schoolers.
Consuming alcoholic beverages is a right for those 21 and older, though we are very much aware of the dangers that come with this practice. But when kids not even out of high school give in to peer pressure and become regular drinkers, it can add to the number of drunk drivers on the roads and can lead to an addiction at an early age.
Many believe people under the age of 21 are not mature enough to handle alcoholic beverages.
Many believe young people are not mature enough to make many crucial decisions, particularly when they are still dependent on their parents. Give an immature teen a few drinks and you could be playing with fire.
It’s encouraging to see the coalition seeking measures to fight this problem. Parent-oriented groups have done wonderful jobs in the past keeping our kids safe. Project Graduation is just one example of making sure teens have a good time without succumbing to the bottle.
If this group’s actions can save one life in the future, their actions have been very worthwhile.
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