Archive for October, 2009

It is now an established fact that for many high school students, by the time they get to their senior years they would have tried consuming alcohol. Many may be lucky enough to exert some control and drink moderately, but the large majority of high school students are unable to lure off alcohol resulting either in them drinking frequently or in large quantities.

Teenage Alcohol Abuse Larger than you Think

In a recent study conducted by the Drug Policy Research Center, researchers found that because of the pervasive nature of high school drinkers, many were flying under the radar and the issue of alcohol abuse among high school students is much larger than previously imagined. The report also confirmed the link between high school student alcohol consumption and antisocial behavior, poor school performance and elevated dropout rates. As a result, they have recommended a rehabilitation program that not only focuses on prevention of initiation but also on the prevention of misuse.

Startling Fact about High School Alcohol Abuse

• One in every six seniors and high school dropout had a high school history of drinking at least one alcoholic drink per day.
• Most high school alcohol abusers report a history of missing school or feeling sick after consumption due to been drunk or were arrested for drunk driving.
• One in six high school alcohol consumers go on to abuse other intoxicants and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth, speed, or heroin.

Also of great concern are the high cases of high-risk sex, violent behavior, car accidents, and emotional problems that are a direct result of alcohol abuse among high school students.

Playing with Numbers

Over the years, politicians have manipulated the numbers associated with teenage alcohol abuse to suit their political point of views. As a result, many of the initiatives suggested to address alcohol abuse among high school students have never been taken too seriously. In order to gain a foot hold to reduce alcohol abuse among high school students, parents and politicians must be prepared to roll up their sleeves and address the social lives of these teenagers.

Studies show that the main driving force behind alcohol abuse is the type of social activity parents allow their high school students to be exposed to. The study revealed that alcohol abuse among teenagers was more directly associated with dating, partying, and poor parenting examples, as opposed to being poor, runaway child or theft. A recent report in the USA Today spoke of a snap test of high school students at a football game- a move that caught many of the students off guard. It revealed that most were drunk or way above the allowed BAC level to safely operate a motor vehicle.

How to Stop High School Alcohol Abuse

If the society is serious about curving the scourge of alcohol abuse among high school students, they simply have to implement some of the many existing laws that were drafted to address this issue. Some of these steps include:

• Storekeepers must stop selling alcohol to students under 18 years old.
• Any suspected under age drinker must present identification on request before they are able to purchase alcohol.
• Enforce the age restrictions on club entry for students under 18.
• Establish a two pronged approach that deals with both prevention and control that will eliminate binge drinking, drinking while driving, and extended use of alcohol.
• Address the social issues that drive high school students to drink.
• Be an exemplary parent. Do not consume alcohol in front of your children.
• Lock away the liquor in the house out of the reach of you teenage children
• Implement use of breathalyzer test for high students entering and leaving parties and on school premises.

Many individuals abuse alcohol consumption based on the many myths surrounding DWI and the various tests carried out by DWI law enforcers to control the crime. These DWI myths range from the extremely weird to credible suggestions that simply are not scientifically correct. Some of these myths include:

1. Breath: Most individuals believe that the smell of alcohol on your breath is what gives the BAC reading. However, research has proven this is not so. Alcohol has no odor. The odor is generated from the other ingredients used to make the drink. As a result, an individual who consumes non-alcoholic beer will have the same mouth odor as one who consumes alcoholic beer. Research has also shown that odor level estimates for some high potent alcoholic beverages were off by up to .13, which is almost twice the legal limit.


2. Accurate Breathalyzers: Do not give up if you are pulled over for a suspected DWI. Research has shown that breathalyzer testing is not a 100% full proof method of declaring you were driving under the influence. Any experienced DWI lawyer can easily expose the accepted .01% inherent error of the system and this has now been accepted in courses nationwide.


3. Jury Trial: The format of DWI cases is not cast in stone. Accusers have the right to refuse judgment by a judge and request a jury trial. With its margin error of 30 – 40%, a jury is important especially when the circumstances of your charge are questionable. This request cannot be denied, as it is your right under the sixth amendment.


4. Guaranteed correct BAC Results: It is a known fact among law enforcers and DWI lawyers that the testing method for breathalyzers is not full proof. Arresting officers can easily manipulate the information generated by the machine to prosecute suspected DWI offenders. Tests have shown that the first few breaths blown into the machine has a less alcohol content than the last couple of breaths do. This is because the first breaths that exudes from the top of the lungs that has lower alcohol content. The last couple of breath will come from the bottom of the lungs, close to the alveolar sacs that are rich in alcohol content. With this knowledge, the arresting officer keeps yelling at the driver to blow hard into the test machine until an elevated result is reached. Studies show that some breath test under these conditions revealed an actual alcohol content of .14% when compared to the actual blood test results of .09%. Always inform your DWI lawyer of the arresting officer’s conduct.


5. Breathalyzers tell Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): Many individuals believe that a breathalyzer machine actually measures blood alcohol concentration level. This is understandable as the acronym BAC suggests. However, the breathalyzer machine only gives an estimate of the amount of alcohol concentration by detecting any chemical compounds that contains trace elements from a methyl group of elements. Correct alcohol content must be verified by a blood test that has also been proven to have a 5% margin of error.


6. Mandated Roadside Testing: Roadside testing is not mandatory. Suspected offenders can refuse the roadside sobriety test but must immediately make themselves available for a chemical blood test at their expense at the nearest certified medical facility.


7. Roadside Integration: Suspected offenders often believe they must answer all the questions posed to them by their arresting officer. Drivers have the right to remain silent about any questions pertaining to your impairment.


8. Sucking on Copper Coins- some individuals believe that sucking on copper coins following the consumption of alcohol can actually lower their BAC reading. They think the chemical content will affect the machines ability to calculate your BAC level. This has proven to be utterly untrue.


9. Being Alcohol Free: Being alcohol free does not prevent you from being arrested on a DWI. Test show that traces of marijuana and other high potent drugs remain in the body up to twenty days after being consumed.


10. Pleading Guilty: Many persons believe that just pleading guilty will eliminate the rigors of the court case and sets you along your merry way, however this is not so. After a guilty plea, your information is entered into the state’s system. If you are charged again for the same crime, you will be treated as a repeat offender and attracts a different set of rules.

I am sure every one of you would have come across occasions or even been a party to alcohol abuse mainly drunken driving happenings. How was the experience? Well the question makes sense only to those who have realized the seriousness of the issue and not to those care free guys who hardly know what they are upto.

How to Stop Friends from Drinking and Driving?

Inspite of frequent warnings and legal consequences like DWI drunken driving accidents continue happening endangering not only the lives of individuals driving the vehicle, but also the lives of those innocent people on road. Frequent among these is the underage drinking. It is indeed a very difficult task ahead to stop drunkards getting themselves and others into serious trouble and injury

Well, every effort to teach and make people aware of the consequences of drinking and driving and alcohol abuse are effective only to a limited extent. Number of initiatives by the federal government like field sobriety tests namely Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Test, breathalyzer and penalizing the accused for any violation under DWI are not sufficiently effective.

Another way to stop such happenings lies in the hands of near and dear ones. The moment they are drunk, you know they are not in senses, hence as friends and loved ones do whatever is possible by you to stop them from handling the vehicle in a drunken state. This in fact completely solves the problem and avoids every chance of a drunken driving accident.


Hear from them….

See what people who have been through horrifying experiences of drunken driving have to say about it.

“No matter what, never allow your friends drive home after they have indulged themselves into heavy drinking. You can offer to drive for your friend’s safety and for the safety of all others on road” – Jeffrey


“We as a couple have mutually agreed not to drink and drive. On those days when we go partying we fix up a driver who will take us back home safely. Thanks to our friend Annette who made sure we did not screw up thing after drinking” – Bernadette


“I get on to my nerves when I see my brother drinking and offering to drive the car back home…the sad part is that he never listens to anyone not does he care to take advices….the only way I found to stop him drive his vehicle is by putting away his car keys even before he could realize it and safely engage a cab to get back home…..Boy! It is definitely a huge task as my brother is highly systematic except when it comes to drinking” – Anne Stephens

“Sam is a good friend of mine. He loves adventures and drinking and driving is his favorite hobby….not only does he bet on driving home back, it ensures he drives at a particular speed….imagine the danger…..many repeated warnings only proved futile…..finally I had to threaten him about calling the police….one of the days I had a police personnel coming over to a friends place, on a complaint lodged by me….I think that was the last time Sam spoke to me…….its been years since I met him…I am happy that I saved my friend and a lot of others on road atleast on that one occasion”- Steve


“It was my friend Julie’s birthday party and that was the first time I met Robin. He was a cool guy indeed, but a serious alcoholic. I was surprised to see him steady after close to 6 rounds of drinking. It was only then I realized that he was planning to drive back home all on his own. Nobody seemed to stop him, given that it was his routine to drive home back. Being a DWI counselor I was sure he would end up into some serious trouble. Just to gain his attention I complimented him and his car and asked whether it was okay if I could have a drive. I asked my friend Paul to follow me in his car, just to get a drive back to the place. And lo….Robin was unable to even walk upto his door, thanks to Paul… he helped me in putting Robin in his bed. Two days later I had called up a couple of other friends and also Robin for tea at my place and explained to them the seriousness of alcohol abuse, DWI and other legalities, Field Sobriety tests, penalties, fines and imprisonment. I really do not know how far it was taken, I atleast had the satisfaction of having done my duty”- Desiree

“Do whatever you can to stop your son or daughter from driving while they are drunk. Even if amounts to putting them behind bars, is fine. It is any day better than loosing them for ever…like how I have lost both my son and daughter in a drunken driving accident…..you better be serious about it…..do not play with their lives…..after all they are your children” – Martina Gomes


Never be late in helping someone who is drunk and intends to drive. Peer pressure is one reason why some individuals end up drinking out of control. Inspite of the warnings in alcohol advertisements, people commit certain fatal mistakes endangering their lives and the lives of others. You save a number of lives by helping them. Do whatever you can. A small step is sure to save lives. Enjoy life by helping someone live.