Approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die each year from underage drinking. This deaths result from motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicide, and other injuries. Parents and authorities can discourage underage drinking by physically being there for their child when they need care both emotionally and physically. Also if your child has Physiological and Biological changes this may lead to risk taking behavior which may result in underage drinking. A big part of underage drinking is that young teens are listening to the media and have role models such as Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan. These girls are bad influences who party, drink and then get in trouble on a daily basis.

Many underage DUI offenses can leave you without your license for up to two years, possible imprisonment for up to one year, and/or a maximum of 2,500 dollars. Facts and statistics like this are important information your child should be informed about. Parents should tell their children the consequences of underage drinking such as jail time, injuries, bad decisions, and possible death. Parents can also talk to their
children about prevention and how to make wise decisions when put into that certain situation. Also parents can talk to local schools about having underage drinking prevention programs.

Some parents may think allowing their children to drink on occasion may be a wise decision, but actually their child will most likely want to continue to drink and will think it is okay to with their friends. Also parents should keep in contact with their child when they are at a party or other social event where alcohol may be present. Another way to prevent underage drinking is show your child results of what could happen if they drink underage such as becoming an alcoholic and poor performance in school work.

Underage drinking is a serious problem in our country. Parents need to talk to their children about the consequences of drinking and the problems they may face in the future. Parents and schools can work together to form annual drinking prevention programs or telling children the scary, but truthful facts about underage drinking. If more parents and authorities would inform children about underage drinking then our country would have better drivers and feel safer behind the wheel.