Alcohol
Did You Know that most youth in Hawaii choose not to drink alcohol until they are 21!
Defying Social Norms
83% of Hawaii youth ages 12-24 do not binge drink.
Teens who choose not to drink often have higher grades and are less likely to have an alcohol addiction later in life.
Hawaii’s youth choose to avoid the common side effect of impaired judgement, which can lead to risky behavior such as:
Having unprotected sex
Violence
Falling
Driving drunk
Why is the Drinking Age 21?
It's no secret that the legal age for purchasing or consuming alcohol is 21 years old, but why? While the alcohol tolerance of an individual is dependent on a wide variety of factors, young people are more susceptible to alcohol addiction and the effects of alcohol since their brains are still developing. By age 21, the brain becomes more fully developed and mature, reducing the risk of addiction and permanent damage caused by alcohol consumption.
Our friends over at Wait21.org explain the science of addiction and how drinking before 21 can be especially dangerous to your health. Check them out!
Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking (HPPUD)
HPPUD is a partnership that the Coalition for a Drug Free Hawaii has whose mission is to “to prevent or delay the early onset of substance misuse, including underage drinking, through collaborative planning and community action.” Check out their great website here!
How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?
Alcohol has both short-term and long-term effects. Here are some of them:
Immediate
Slower reactions
Unexpected changes in behavior
Loss of balance, coordination, and judgment
Slurred speech, confusion
Increased risk taking
Drowsiness
Nausea and vomiting
Alcohol poisoning
Long-Term
Muscle disease and tremors
Liver disease, including cirrhosis of the liver, and cancer
Nutritional deficiency, ulcers, and gastritis
Brain damage
Increased blood pressure
Increased risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, and larynx
Bad skin, hair, and nails
Alcohol Poisoning leading to death
Quick Facts
Addiction is hard to overcome but it is ever too late to seek help. Call or text 988 or visit the Hawaii CARES website. You cannot always tell how strong a drink is by its taste.
Binge drinking is drinking a lot (4 to 5 drinks), in a small amount of time (2 hours).
Even after a person's last drink, his or her alcohol level keeps rising.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency and can happen to anyone. See how it played a role in taking the life of a local 15-year-old girl.
