“One out of 10 children ages 12 and 13 uses alcohol at least once a month. In a single year, 522 children under age 14 were arrested for driving while intoxicated, (113 of them were under 10 years old). 70 percent of all teenagers drink alcohol. 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 17,000 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents in the United States last year, a rate of one person every 30 minutes. Even more alarmingly, almost 1/3 of the 15- to 20-year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. had been drinking.

Statistics show that approximately 70% of all teenagers drink alcohol, including 1 out of 10 children between the ages of 12 and 13.

Safeguards against Underage Drunk Driving:

Parents and older siblings must be aware that they are role models to younger family members, and should be cognizant of what kind of examples they set in regard to both their driving and drinking habits.

Restricting access to liquor and automobiles at home may be an effective preventative measure in the short term, but it is even more advisable to confront your son(s) and/or daughter(s) about the serious risks involved with underage drinking.

Whether driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle, always wear a seatbelt!

If you see vehicles that are speeding excessively or swerving, try to get a license plate number and call your Sheriff’s Office, the local or state police.

If a person has too much to drink and insists on getting behind the wheel, do not get into the vehicle.

If you are going to an event where alcohol will be served, take public transportation like buses or taxis, if possible.

Regardless of your age, if you believe you may have a drinking problem, consult a school counselor, health professional, or an alcohol support group (for example, Alcoholics Anonymous).

In reaction to teenage drunk driving statistics, states have enacted harsher penalties to punish teens that drink and drive. Most states have adopted zero tolerance laws which make it a crime for a teenager to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any amount of alcohol. In addition to harsh penalties for teenage drunk driving, it is also a crime in most states for a minor to drink, possess, transport, buy or even try to buy alcohol. Parents can be penalized for furnishing alcohol to minors, especially in cases where teenage drunk driving was involved.

Teenage drunk drivers also face some serious legal consequences that will harm them into their adult lives. They face revocation of their driving privileges, stiff fines, probation, alcohol education and treatment, and community service not to mention potential jail/prison time for a severe offense.

If you have been involved in a teenage drunk driving incident, you may wish to speak to a qualified attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and options in a case. Because the laws vary by state and circumstance, a knowledgeable attorney can best help protect your interests in a teenage drunk driving case.

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The Hit TV Series for Teens Nowadays deals mostly with teen wants and desires. These hit TV series contains storyline that tend to deal with teen issues and problems. They hold issues ranging from family, school, friends, dating to peer and age related issues and topics. The Hit TV Series for Teens Nowadays carries a touch of humor and a pinch of drama which greatly attracts attention to teenagers. These hit series are mostly about kids and teenagers.

‘Gossip Girl’ is one of the Hit TV Series for Teens Nowadays. It is a teen drama based on the book series which holds the same name, which earned more than three million teenage viewers. This is a series of teen books about privileged Manhattan high school goers by Cecily Von Ziegler who demonstrates the high school teen wants, desires and other behavioral patterns of teenagers. The characters in ‘Gossip Girl’ series live a glamorous life and also it deals with abortion, addiction, murder, mental instability and a self-loathing of teenagers. This series exhibits the real life of the teen socialites and teen wants which is why ‘Gossip Girl’ has made an impression among teenagers. ‘Gossip Girl’ really has bogged down the action on the screen.

According to the study, the majority of teens like to watch new TV series and shows. The majority of teenagers get information about new TV series from TV advertisements and promos. A survey asked teenagers to select their first choice from the series they are interested in watching. ‘Gossip Girl’ took the first place followed by ABC’s ‘Pushing Daisies.’

The Hit TV Series for Teens Nowadays is watched by seventy percent of teens. They say that they would watch hit TV series on its scheduled day and time. 21 percent of teens record the series and watch it using DVR, VCR or DVD recorder.

According to the findings, teenagers liked adult animation like a staple of Fox’s Sunday Night lineup, ranked as the favorite type of series among teenagers. Surprisingly, when they were asked about the non-returning TV series that they would like bring back, CBS’s ‘King of Queens’ ranked the highest. These hit TV series of teens mostly satisfies the teen wants and wishes.

7th Heaven is another hit TV series for teens nowadays. It brings out the highs and lows of the large Camden family. It is designed specially for the whole family. This hit TV series deals mainly with the teenager’s bouts of rebellion and sibling rivalry. It insists on dealings with the timely social issues and difficult situations of kids and teens as they grow up. It is a series that a family with teenagers can enjoy watching just like Everwood and Gilmore Girls.

The Hit TV Series for Teens Nowadays appeal teens of different interests. Most of these series are very well known and are watched regularly. Many teenagers love to watch hit TV series because the writers provide a script and they could relate it to their lives. By this means, the teen wants and desires are met. They have real life conditions and problems to deal-with in each show.

Some of the long-term effects of drinking at a young age include learning difficulties, memory loss, and addiction problems later on in life. These are only some of the associated problems that are currently, scientifically proven. It is time that parents and those in our community took a stand against alcohol use, and experimentation with our teenage children now, rather than later on down the track when the damage has already been done.

Heavy drug abuse is said to be the main concern of many parents, when it comes to addictive substances. Although research suggests that the largest percentage of drug related occurrences are the direct result of alcohol use, not hard drugs. Parents need to be aware that alcohol use among young teens is harmful, unacceptable, and is a dangerous substance among teenagers that needs our attention, rather than our tolerance.

Facts About Alcohol, And Your Teenager

• In Australia, it is estimated that at least 73% of teenagers try alcohol more than once.

• In 2001, over 3,000 teenagers died due to alcohol use, and a further 64,782 needed medical attention after an alcohol related episode.

• Teenagers who are exposed to alcohol at an early age are five times more likely to become addicted later in life.

• Teenagers who binge-drink are likely to have poor judgment, and engage in dangerous activities such as increased risk taking, unwanted sex, blackouts, vomiting, and being a victim to violent activities.

Teenage Drinking, What You Can Do As A Parent

The relationships that we have with our teenage children have a bearing on their future development as they grow into well-adjusted adults who take their place in the community. In order to give your teenager the best start in life, they need to be given love, security, a warm and friendly family environment, as well as a firm set of values, and standards to live their lives by.

From an early age, children need boundaries. This helps them define, in later life, what acceptable behaviour is, and what isn’t tolerable. As children reach their teenage years, they need to be taught responsibility within their defined boundaries as a teenager. It is a parent’s duty, not prerogative to take an active role in your teenager’s life.

As a parent, if you don’t agree with teenage drinking, voice your opinion with other parents, and take a stand for what you feel is the right thing. You just may find that there are many other parents out there who agree with you. By creating a network of parents within your community that includes the parents of your teenager’s friends where possible, you can work together towards creating a strong, safe structure for your teenager to socialise in.

Cocaine is a powerful drug that can be snorted, injected when dissolved in water, ingested, or smoked as crack. It is often referred to as coke, snow, flake, blow, or other terms. Cocaine is highly addictive and dangerous. According to the NIDA about eight percent of high-school seniors have used cocaine.

What are the signs of Cocaine abuse?

• Immediate signs include increased energy and mental alertness, dilated pupils, decreased appetite, increased heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, as well as fast speech.
• Users often have a runny nose or frequent bloody noses.
• Paranoia, restlessness, and panic can be a response to the drug.
• Drastic weight loss and not sleeping regularly are signs of cocaine use.
• Depression caused by stopping use of the drug.
• Drug paraphernalia such as mirrors and razor blades, rolled money bills, small bottles with lids, small plastic packets, small spoon-like items.
• Losing interest in activities and withdrawal from or change in friends.
• Frequently needing or stealing money.

Why do teenagers abuse cocaine?

Cocaine affects that brain chemicals that create pleasure and usually increases the sensations of sight, sound, and touch. Users often claim that cocaine helps them perform physical and mental tasks quicker and easier, although it can also have the opposite effect. Cocaine users usually find that they need to take more of the drug to produce the same effect or even just feel normal. So cocaine use often leads to addiction replacing school, friends, and family.

What are the health hazards associated with cocaine use?

• Those who snort cocaine suffer nasal problems such as loss of smell, nosebleeds, problems with swallowing, and chronic runny nose.
• Ingested cocaine reduces blood flow and causes bowel gangrene in which the tissue inside dies.
• People who inject cocaine have puncture marks, can have allergic reactions, and suffer the risks of getting STD’s by sharing needles.
• For all users cocaine can cause heart attacks, strokes, seizures, abdominal pain and nausea, malnourishment, muscle spasms, and respiratory failure.
• Frequent users often suffer increased irritability, restlessness, and paranoia. They also suffer the risk of full-blown paranoid psychosis in which the user loses touch with reality and suffers hallucinations.

What about mixing cocaine with other substances?

Many cocaine users are mixing cocaine with alcohol because the combination intensifies the drugs euphoric effects. The human liver combines the cocaine and alcohol and creates cocaethylene. Mixing alcohol and cocaine significantly increases the risks and according to the NIDA “is the most common two-drug combination that results in drug-related death.”

Cocaine is often mixed with other substances during processing. These substances are often unknown to the user and can be harmful to the body.

Written by Teresa McEntire