April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the Partnership of Community Resources, a nonprofit substance abuse prevention group, is urging people to consider the dangers of underage drinking.
Amanda Johnson, a Partnership prevention coordinator, said a 2007 survey, conducted by the Nevada Department of Education, found that 27.1 percent of Douglas High School students said they had their first alcoholic drink when they were 13 or 14.
"Kids drink for social acceptance," she said. "They tell each other it's boring around here and that they need to drink to have fun."
Johnson said 35 percent of car accident fatalities for those 15 to 20 involve alcohol consumption.
"If a teenager is at a party and has already consumed alcohol, he or she should be responsible and call their parents, or someone they trust, to drive them home," said Johnson. "Getting in trouble is better than the alternative."
Martie Washington, also a Partnership prevention coordinator, said easy access to alcohol fuels underage drinking.
"There is easy retail access," she said. "You notice that cigarettes are sold behind a counter, versus alcohol, which a lot of times is displayed out of view of the clerk. Kids will just drink in the store, so they won't have to pay for it either."
Washington said social access is the easiest way for kids to get alcohol.
"Alcohol is expected at every event," she said. "You go to a kid's birthday party, and there is beer for the parents."
Washington said part of the solution is changing the social norm that underage drinking is a rite of passage.
"Alcohol does not have to be present to have fun," she said.
For more information about the Partnership of Community Resources or upcoming events call 782-8611.
