1. Dangers of Underage Drinking
(Photo: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
Alcohol is probably the most commonly abused substance among teenagers because of its
social acceptability and the ease with which it can be obtained. Alcohol abuse by minors
contributes to crashes, assaults, crimes, murders and suicides which is why minors should be
refused alcohol in all circumstances.
Teenagers are not physically developed or emotionally equipped to handle the effects of
drinking, nor are they ready to make informed and rational choices when they are intoxicated.
Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of underage drinking is that it frees people of their
inhibitions, which for teenagers could have devastating effects.
So often we see cases in the news of teenagers who were caught fighting or in brawls, drink
driving, engaging in sexual activities and general misconduct due to intoxication. Some
statistics even show that in Oz, alcohol is responsible for the majority of drug related fatalities in
teenagers. This is a scary thought but one that parents and those in the food and beverage
service industries need to consider.
Parents cannot control what their children do when they are not around but by encouraging
good drinking habits and leading by example, parents can help their children be more
responsible. Parents should openly discuss alcohol and alcohol abuse with their children and
answer any questions they may have. Parents should also educate children about the
consequences of over indulgence and the situations that may arise.
Servers of alcohol need to be aware of the new law and that means that people who serve
alcohol to minors need to be aware of the fact that they are breaking the law and are liable to
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2. pay hefty fines. Beside the financial losses in the form of fines, servers should be aware of the
consequences of their actions on the lives of teenagers as it may have long reaching and
possibly life threatening side effects.
Many teenagers drink to feel more accepted among their peers or to appear to fit in with the
crowd because drinking may be the “cool” thing to do. Moving from adolescence to young
adulthood is adramatic and confusing time for many people and they use alcohol as a coping
mechanism. As teenagers begin to experience physical, emotional and social transformations,
many turn to alcohol for a variety of reasons. Those that come from homes where parents
abuse alcohol are more likely to follow in the same pattern.
While teenagers seldom think long term about the side effects of drinking and the damage that it
may do to their bodies, waitrons, liquor store staff and other members of the alcohol service
industry should be aware.
Many researchers have conducted studies which prove that alcohol affects the development of
the brain. Underage drinking may create long term problems with cognitive abilities and memory
as well as long term impairment when given alcohol at a young age. Adolescents who drink
have shown elevated liver enzymes which may damage the liver. Drinking alcohol during
puberty may even impact hormonal development. This can impact the development of bones,
organs and muscles, as well as the development of the reproductive system.
As a server of alcohol you have a responsibility to request proof of age from any person who
looks like they may be under the age of 25. Some people may be offended by this but most will
be obliging. Older people might even be flattered that they look younger than their age. Only
once you are completely satisfied that the person in the ID matches the person standing before
you should you serve them alcohol or risk losing your job and your venues liquor, as well as
incurring potentially devastating fines.
http://www.rsaonlinensw.com/news/dangers-of-underage-drinking/
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