Lives Lost and Ruined

The biggest costs, though, are in lives lost and ruined.

Alcohol kills: Each year, about 5,000 people under the age of 21 die as a result of
underage drinking. ** These include deaths from drunk driving, other accidents,
homicides, suicides and alcohol poisoning.

And Injures: More than 190,000 people under age 21 a year are sent to emergency
rooms for alcohol-related injuries.

Young bodies and developing brains are especially ill-suited for the effects of alcohol.

In Alabama, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume or possess any alcoholic beverage. Underage drinkers and the adults who provide them alcoholic beverages are subject to arrest and possibly jail. And underage drinkers will have their driver licenses suspended.

Ignorance is not a defense. Know the law. Obey the law.

In Alabama: Under age, under arrest.

When youth drink, the health, social and economic problems that result are grave. Underage drinking contributes to problems ranging from homicides and suicides, to drunk driving and traumatic injuries from accidents, to violent and property crimes, to high-risk sex, to fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol poisoning, to the increased demand for treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence.

Underage drinking costs the citizens of Alabama $1 billion a year.* The costs come from medical care, loss of work, and pain and suffering
associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth.

Alcohol and Youth Don’t Mix