- According to a survey of West students, 85% have consumed alcohol compared to the national average of 75% for high school students. West students drink slightly more than the national average. - The most common reasons for underage drinking reported by students surveyed were that it's fun, to make friends, and because they're stupid. However, the majority said they do not feel pressured to drink. - Common regretted actions after drinking included being arrested, having sex, and fighting with friends. The majority of underage drinking occurs with friends at parties or friends' houses.

1. Teenagers are Twisted A Look into Underage Drinking By: Christina Lynch

2. National Underage Drinking Statistics #1. 41% of students have consumed alcohol before they enter high school. #2. 20% of 8 th graders have been drunk

3. National Underage Drinking Statistic #3 Three out of four students will have consumed alcohol before they graduate high school. WE DRINK!!! I don’t!

4. West Students… 85% of students surveyed at West said they have consumed some sort of alcohol.

5. The Difference… West differs from the national average by 10%. Therefore we have a greater percentage of students drinking in our school then students on the national scale.

6. 58% of seniors in high school have been drunk National Underage Drinking Statistic #4

7. How does West compare to National Statistics? Looks like West is about the same as the national average.

8. SO WHY DO TEE NAGER S DRIN K IF TH EY KNO W THEY ARE UN DERAG E? “ It’s fun!” “ To make friends” “ It is something to do.” “ To get drunk” “ Because we’re stupid” “ To be sweet” “ For social reasons” To have fun To fit in To reduce stress To experiment Curiosity It feels good To feel older Those surveyed said: Statistics say:

9. What do your peers think when you drink? National Statistic…. West’s Thoughts: … #5 Surprisingly, 85.6% of students ages 12 – 17 reported that they don’t approve of their peers having at least one drink. “ Drinking ruins lives.” “ Drinking is alright, it’s a nice social activity!” “ Everybody does it!” “ I enjoy drinking with my friends.”

10. Underage Drinking Questions Answered… How old were you when you had your first drink? Where do you drink? Who do you drink with? Do you drink and drive? Have you ever regretted something you’ve done while you were under the influence? Do teenagers feel pressured to drink? Have you every pressured someone to drink? How often do you drink?

11. Do teenagers feel pressured to drink? 88% of those surveyed said no while .03% of those surveyed said they sometimes feel pressured. According to studies, the way teenagers feel about themselves influences them to either give in to peer pressure or to overcome peer pressure. How old were you when you had your first drink? 35% of those surveyed were 14 years old or younger Studies show teenagers account for nearly 20 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States each year Have you ever pressured someone to drink? Sadly, 37% have peer pressured someone to drink!

12. Those surveyed admitted they regret: Being arrested Smoking weed Having sex Fighting with their friends Hooking up with someone Have you ever regretted something you’ve done while you were under the influence? 40% of those who were surveyed said yes!

13. Who do you drink with? Friends 100% of students who admitted to drinking say they drink with their friends! Siblings – especially brothers Cousins Parents Everybody Nobody What’s worse drinking with everyone or drinking with nobody? Where do you drink? Friend’s house and Parties seem to be the most common place to drink. Surprisingly, a few people admitted they drink at home Bills games – is drinking the perfect excuse to go to the game? Anywhere it is possible How often do you drink? Majority of those surveyed said either every weekend or a couple times a month! A few said occasionally Still others admitted they drink on a daily basis!

14. Do you drink and drive??? PLEASE SAY NO!!!!!! OH PLEASE SAY NO!!!! Yikes! 17% of those surveyed pleaded guilty to this crime! If you are drinking please don’t drive home! Stay at your friend’s house. Call somebody. There are definitely ways to get around driving drunk!

15. IF YOU’RE NOT 21 YEARS OLD DON’T DRINK!!!! WORDS OF WISDOM

16. Works Cited “ Statistics.” SADD. 5 Jan 2010. http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm#underage Open Clip Art Library. 6 Jan 2010. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://openclipart.org/people/rejon/rejon_Person_Outline_3.png&imgrefurl=http://openclipart.org/media/files/rejon/11222&usg=__yb-oym6fhO6d7-Vh_gqOFF6SmXs=&h=388&w=300&sz=8&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=w3CPIn96sKaCjM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dperson%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den Alcohol Awareness. 6 Jan 2010 http://www.coe.ufl.edu/clep/portfolios/youngjen/portfolio/Files%20on%20web%20page/alcohol_awareness.pdf “ Fight hangovers.” Blog Spot. 6 Jan 2010. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3bp4zoi6JRk/SnaD1eFc74I/AAAAAAAAEsA/uGBCYHKfGtA/s400/binge-drinking_1372882c.jpg “ Underage Drinking.” Monheit Law. 6 Jan 2010. http://www.monheit.com/teenage-drinking/statistics.asp