Be Alcohol Free
Alcohol is not a MINOR problem! Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug in the United States. Excessive drinking is responsible for more than 3,900 deaths and 225,000 years of potential life lost among people under age 21 each year.
Are you ready to toast life and crush alcohol?
Choose Sobriety, Live Free from Alcohol
Say No to Underage Drinking
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people in the U.S. Yet, it is illegal for youth to ingest alcohol under the age of 21. Those that underage drink may be at risk for:
- Death from alcohol poisoning.
- Unintentional injuries (car crashes, falls, burns, and drowning).
- Suicide and violence, such as fighting and sexual assault.
- Changes in brain development.
- School performance problems (higher absenteeism & failing grades)
- Alcohol dependence later in life.
- Other risk behaviors such as smoking, drug misuse, and risky sexual behaviors.
Say No to Alcohol or Excessive Use
Excessive alcohol use is responsible for more than 4,500 deaths in Michigan each year and costs our state over $8+ billion annually. Among adults in Michigan who binge drink, 25% do so at least 4 times per month, yet, the repercussions can include:
- Death from alcohol poisoning.
- Unintentional injuries (car crashes, falls, burns, and drowning).
- Violence (homicide, suicide, partner violence, & sexual assault).
- STDs, unintended pregnancy and poor pregnancy outcomes.
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and sudden infant death syndrome.
- Higher risk of Cancer of the breast (among females), liver, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
Parents Who Host Lose the Most
It is illegal to serve alcohol to minors in all 50 states, and there are no exceptions for family members. Michigan added the social host liability laws to long-standing statutes dealing with aiding or abetting alcohol consumption or possession by a minor, and laws against contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or child endangerment.
Parents who provide alcohol to their teen and friends are contributing to underage drinking, which can lead to negative health outcomes, car accidents, and legal issues. Parents who allow such behavior stand to lose a lot, whether it’s their child’s health, their own legal standing, or their reputation in the community.
Parents who host can be prosecuted, fined $1,000+, jailed for 30 days, and held liable for monetary damages in a civil lawsuit.
Ready to Rethink Your Drink?
Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful. Everyone can benefit from drinking less alcohol, or not drinking at all. Whether you're just starting to take a look at your drinking or have already decided to cut back or quit, there are tools and resources available to assist you.
There is treatment. It varies, based on a person’s needs, but there are many local choices today. Treatment can include counseling, medications, and/or mutual-support groups.