FACT:

• 70% of people 12-20 haven't had a drink in the past month.  Most teens are not drinking alcohol.
• Alcohol-related crashes are the number one cause of death among people age 16 to 24.  Most are passengers.
• Alcohol can kill you.  Drinking large amounts can lead to coma or even death.
• About 15 percent of teens are binge drinkers in any given month (having five or more drinks on one occasion).
• Alcohol-medication interactions are a factor in at least 25% of emergency room admissions.
• Alcohol is involved with 30% dropouts, 36% academic failures, 60% violent behaviors, 64% unsafe sexual practices, and 70% acquaintance rapes on college campuses throughout the United States.
• Kids who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crimes, including rape, assault, and robbery.
• Teens who drink alcohol are more likely to become sexually active at earlier ages, have sex more often, and have unprotected sex.
• Alcohol is a powerful drug that slows down the body and mind.  It impairs coordination; slows reaction time; and impairs vision, clear thinking, and judgment.
• Beer and wine are not "safer" than hard liquor.  A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and 1 ounce of hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol and have the same effects on the body and mind.
• On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours for a single drink to leave the body's system.  Nothing can speed up this process, including drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or "walking it off."
• Alcohol use also is linked with youthful deaths by drowning, fire, suicide, and homicide.  

RESOURCES

www.niaaa.nih.gov (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Scientific Communications Branch)

www.ncaad.org (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence)

www.jointogether.org

www.centurycouncil.org

www.gettips.com

www.whitehousedrugpolicy.org

www.freevibe.com

www.health.org

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information:

1-800-729-6686

West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration:

1-800-642-8208

Tips for the University: 
1-800-438-8477

If you need further information, please contact Psychological Counseling Services by telephone at (304) 788-6976, email at SEKephart@mail.wvu.edu, or simply stop by the office located on the base floor of the Health Center.