Underage Drinking is Not a Rite of Passage

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Underage Drinking is Not a Rite of Passage

• Jay Jaffee
• Minnesota Department of Health
• State Community Health Advisory Committee Meeting
• February 15, 2008

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First the Minnesota Data

• Drank in the past 30 days
• 12th grade 47.5 percent
• 9th grade 24 percent
• Binge drank in past two weeks
• 12th grade 30 percent
• 9th grade 13 percent
• Drove after drinking or using drugs
• 12th grade 25 percent
• Rode with someone who had been drinking or using
  drugs
• 12th grade 38 percent
• 9th grade 19 percent
• 2007 Minnesota Student Survey

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Too Many Adults Say

• So, whats the big deal, we drank when we were
  young!
• Kids will be kids!
• Its a rite of passage!
• If they are old enough to fight for their
  country, they are old enough to drink!

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Adults Say, Continued

• Our laws are too Puritanical
• European countries have it right, we should lower
  the drinking age!
• If they could drink in a safe setting like a bar
  everything would be okay!

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We Drank When We Were YoungKids will be Kids!

• Drinking is different now than it was for most of
  us.
• Most parents and most decision makers have no
  idea what underage and young adult drinking is
  like today.
• Ever use a beer bong?
• Ever play Beer Pong?
• Ever do a keg stand?
• Ever play Edward 40 hands?

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Beer Bong
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The Ultimate Beer Bong
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An Inflatable Beer Bong
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Beer Pong
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Ultimate Beer Pong
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Even if You Dont Have a Table
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A Keg Stand
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Edward Forty HandsAKA 80 Ounces to Freedom
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Its a Rite of Passage

• Unfortunately, too many youth do not make it to
  adulthood and, of those who do, too many will
  experience harmful consequences including
  physical and mental problems and possible alcohol
  dependence.

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If they are old enough to fight for their country

• Substance abuse is and has been a problem for the
  military for a long time.
• Both Annapolis and West Point have recently had
  to address problems with binge drinking.
• The legal drinking age in South Korea is 20, yet
  
• U.S. military personnel are not allowed to drink
  there until age 21

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If They Could Drink in a Safe Setting

• The tragedies of
• Jason Buchanan,
• Scott Radel,
• Amanda Jax,
• Numerous people who drowned in the Mississippi
  after drinking in bars in La Crosse, and
• Many others dispute this theory!

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A Fundraiser for the Minneapolis Jaycees In
December, 2007
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Drunken Spelling Bee

• Nightwatch notes A drunken spelling bee
• By Tom Horgen, Star Tribune
• January 17, 2008
• Catch a buzz at the bee
• Oh, this is pure genius. On Feb. 2, the 331 Club
  in northeast Minneapolis will host the 1st Annual
  Drunken Spelling Bee. Yes, you heard it right,
  and yes, you are just as excited as I am. The
  competition will feature themed spelling rounds
  that will include topics such as celebrity names,
  hipster phraseology, alcoholic beverages and
  naughty words

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Europeans Have it RightLower the Drinking Age

• According to research from 2003 comparing
  drinking by 15 and 16-year-olds in the U.S and 35
  European nations
• Only youth from Turkey drank less and binged less
  than U.S. youth.
• Youth from only ¼ of the nations drank to
  intoxication at the same level or lower than U.S.
  youth.
• U.S. Department of Justice, 2005

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What Can You Do?

• Speak up and help end this myth that underage
  alcohol use is a rite of passage.
• Help us change the norms about underage alcohol
  use and high-risk drinking.
• Can any of our communities afford to experience
  more of these tragedies?

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For More Information

• Jay Jaffee
• jay.jaffee_at_health.state.mn.us
• 651-201-5496
• Or go to our website
• www.health.state.mn.us/alcohol