By Madeline Coronado
It should not be as easy for a minor to get alcohol as it is today. According to a 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a third of 15-year-olds admit to having had at least one drink in their lives. This substantial percentage shows that it’s simply too easy for youth to acquire alcoholic beverages before the legal age of 21. Where there is underage drinking, there is usually an adult who provided the alcohol.
My organization, the South Bay Youth for Change, wants adults to know it is illegal to allow underage drinking parties in your home. Is being the “cool friend” worth taking the responsibility of an alcohol-related rape, car crash, or death?
SBY4C is a volunteer youth group that promotes living an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle. As a member for four years and now vice president, I strongly recommend that adults become educated about the reality of teen drinking. Recently we kicked off a campaign in hopes that all adults will become conscious of their actions that put kids and the community in danger. The social media campaign, launched in Imperial Beach with the hashtag #ItsTooEasy, was covered by several news stations that air throughout the San Diego County.
It is important to us to have this effort acknowledged by the entire community so that adults understand the negative effects that result from underage drinking. High school students throughout the South Bay participated because we are concerned for our communities’ safety and health.
Those who begin to indulge in alcohol before the legal age of 21 are more vulnerable to the negative side effects that come with drinking. For example, those who begin to drink before the age of 15 are five times more likely to develop alcoholism as an adult than those who delay drinking until the legal age of 21, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Many adults are blindsided by consequences when a youth they love is injured in an accident, sexually assaulted, or experiences serious alcohol poisoning because they provided the liquor. The community’s safety is also at risk every time an adolescent drinks, because they are oftentimes the ones behind the wheel in DUIs and car crashes At least 10 percent of all DUI crashes with death or injury in San Diego County involved a driver under age 21 who had been drinking, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Spreading the message about why it is dangerous for adults to supply our youth with alcoholic beverages will hopefully reduce underage drinking in my community. When underage drinking takes place an adult usually provided the alcohol. We are reminding store clerks of the importance of checking identification. Social Host laws make it illegal to provide a place where underage drinking is taking place.
If you suspect underage drinking is occurring, please call the police. It may save a life.
Madeline Coronado is a 12th grade student at Chula Vista High School who serves as the vice president for South Bay Youth for Change. The group works to prevent alcohol and drug use by teens and for other positive change in San Diego County’s South Bay communities.
