For many teens, adults contribute to underage drinking. A government survey has found that of the 10.8 million underage drinkers in the United States, 40 percent obtained free alcohol from an adult in the past month.
The survey was conducted from 2002 to 2006 and reported that more than half of American teenagers have engaged in underage drinking. Six percent reported that they got the alcohol from an adult family member, like a parent, and four percent said they took the alcohol directly from their own homes.
Approximately one out of five of those between the ages of 12 and 20 said they took part in binge drinking, consuming five or more drinks on at least one occasion, in the past month. If the teen lived with a parent who took part in binge drinking, the rate of occurrence was much higher. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, which impacts the central nervous system, in certain cases causing choking, coma, or death.
As summer gets under way, many people begin to throw parties that include alcohol. In Pennsylvania, something called social host liability can cost those who supply alcohol to underage drinkers more than they expect.
Social host liability is a law that states that if an underage guest consumes alcohol at a party thrown by an adult and is then involved in an accident, the host of the party can be held accountable for the minor's accident. Typically, a homeowner's policy has a limit to the amount that it will cover for host liability. In general, larger insurance policies offer more coverage in the event of a civil suit.
Criminal charges can also be brought against adult party-throwers. In July of 2007, 18-year-old Richie Shook died in an automobile accident when he collided with a tractor trailer after running a red light. At the time of the car crash, his blood alcohol level was 0.23 percent, and the host of the Monroeville, PA party Richie attended earlier that night pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and furnishing alcohol to minors.
Source: By Edgar Snyder & Associates
See more reference on the topic of Teen Underage Drinking and Parents in today's issue of eMaxhealth.
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