There is an epidemic sweeping our homes and it has the power of destruction. Its name is underage drinking. It fools our youth with a false perception of acceptance, it tells them they are invincible, makes them momentarily brave, and as long as they don’t get behind the wheel, they think nothing can touch them.

Did you know that alcohol use has become a staple in our youth’s lives? Oh they may not drink yet but it surrounds them everyday. Bulletins and pictures are posted on Myspace and Facebook sites, they see teens drinking on MTV reality shows and on teen soaps like “Gossip Girl”, “One Tree Hill” and in shows such as “Friday Night Lights.” It’s all over the big screen and some of the most popular movies in this generation are centered on kids at parties drinking with no consequences. For example the movie “Superbad” portrays heavy teen drinking and it is the number one top rated high school comedy of all time, grossing $121,463,226.00 throughout its duration in theaters. Alcohol ads are plastered in TV commercials, billboards, and magazines and we have yet to mention the music that teens listen to because a certain song has a catchy beat and then sooner or later they are singing along to the lyrics. One particular song that is out right now is “Blame it” by Jamie Foxx. One of the verses is as follows . . . “Blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose. Blame it on the 'tron gotcha panties off. Blame it on the ah-ah-ah-alcohol, blame it on the ah-ah-ah-alcohol. Blame it on the vodka, blame it on the henny. Blame it on the blue tap got you feeling dizzy. Blame it on the ah-ah-ah-alcohol.” This song continues on as he persists to get the female drunk and her guard comes down until they have become intimate. The message the youth are getting is that it’s ok to be promiscuous at a party because it was really just the alcohol.

Nationally, approximately 1 in 6 girls become sexually active after consuming alcohol. Teen girls who binge drink are 63% more likely to also become teen mothers, and 1 in 4 girls reported to have driven under the influence or had gotten in a car with someone who had been drinking.

Today’s youth are falling victim to underage drinking. Educate yourselves and the youth around you. Set guidelines and standards on the influential aspects of your children’s lives. Underage drinking does not just impair their ability to drive; it also lowers their inhibitions, thus putting them in danger of violence and risky sexual behavior. Deadly combinations with other substances including prescription drugs and a prevalence to drink faster and more aggressively put youth at a huge risks for alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal.

In terms of development, the human brain is more fragile and vulnerable between ages 10-20 years old as it is still developing social and emotional interactions, cognitive skills, and complex thinking skills, judgement, multi tasking and memory. Therefore exposing brain cells to alcohol at this level of growth can cause devastating effects. So ask yourself, what will I do to help fight this epidemic?

To learn more about underage drinking and drunk driving you can go to www.madd.org or contact the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition at 401-766-3342. Don’t wait. Act now.