...What is Binge Drinking? Binge drinking is defined as "the consumption of five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion." In national surveys (in the USA) about a third of high school seniors and 45 percent of college students reported at least one occasion of binge drinking within the previous 2 weeks. March 26, 2004: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that, “More than five million high schoolers binge drink at least once a month.” As a Floridian who lives near one of the 'Spring Break" hot spots, this comes as no great shock. I guess there are a lot of parents out there who are surprised by these numbers and yet, what were they doing in college or when the drinking age was 18? How do you expect your kid to just say no, when you said yes not that long ago? Talk to your teenagers and be honest with them! ~ Amy. RN ~ [pic] While some national surveys have documented a significant decline in the use of other drugs by high school seniors and college-age youths, there have been only small declines in the numbers reporting binge drinking. Teenagers and young adults drink alcoholic beverages at about the same rates they did 5 years ago. Binge drinking increases the risk for alcohol-related injury, especially for young people, who often combine alcohol with other high-risk activities, such as impaired driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the four leading injury-related causes of death among youths under the age of...
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...Lowering the Drinking Age It’s a fact that most kids try alcohol before they are around 16. In Europe the drinking age is around 16-18 years old. The legal drinking age really hasn’t stopped young teens before. It’s talked a lot about in schools and other states of why it should be lowered. Lowering the drinking age will give these teens the responsibility that some of them are looking for. The drinking age within the United States should be lowered to allow people to begin legally consuming alcohol at the age of 18 as a measure to combat binge drinking, to boost the economy, and to be more reflective of an 18 year old person's status as an adult. Lowering the drinking age to 18 years old can diminish the thrill of breaking the law by underage drinking. There is a lot of excitement that some kids feel knowing they are breaking the law and most likely not going to get caught. Not wanting to admit to drinking “…Which can make rebellious teenagers sneak off to basements and backwoods to binge drink far from adult supervision” (CNN). A lot of teens feel the thrill of breaking the law and having their parents not know. Knowing that they shouldn’t be drinking is that “rebellious” side of the teens. If...
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...English Mr. DiGioia 12/17/15 3rd Period Drinking Age In all of the articles and political cartoon there are many examples of ethos, pathos and logos. However, some of them are more effective than others. Each of these documents discuss the drinking age in the united states and why it should be either be lowered to 18 or stay at 21. The first source is the least effective out of the three because it does not explain what age the drinking age should be at. On the other hand, the third source, “Lower the Drinking Age Back to 18” is a very affective article because of the facts that it has and the experience that he had growing up in a world were colleges taught you how to drink responsibly In the first source you see a cartoon. This Cartoon shows the drinking age at 21 and what the drinking age would look like at 18 years old. However, both of these cartoons look exactly alike. The repetition of the same image with different captions emphasizes in what happens if the drinking age changes … nothing. Ethos is created because there are less females than males and statistically speaking more men drink binge drink. The symbolism in the shorts "OSU" and a fraternity are all zeugmas for drinking. This cartoon also establishes pathos by showing the emotion each person has in there face. All of the “adults” in this cartoon are very happy and look like they are ready to have fun. On the other hand, it does not show the repercussions of drinking irresponsibly. To improve this cartoon, I...
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...Running head: Drinking Underage Drinking and Peer Pressure Melissa Walters January 31, 2012 Why has underage drinking becoming such a serious issue in America? In middle school kids do not think about things like going to a party, drinking, and using drugs. So, why is it when teens get to high school teens feel obligated to do such things? Some peers put pressure on others to fit in and do things people do not usually think they would ever do. Underage drinking has become a serious issue across America. Since then people have been trying to lower the age of drinking thinking it will help, but lowering the age is just going to cause the drinking and driving percent to go up because teens are not mature enough to responsibly drink and still be in control. That shows that our society is not doing everything they can to stop teens from drinking. Teens believe that drinking is something to just make them look, or seem older and more mature. They do not realize the serious consequences and the health risks they are putting on their selves. Teenage drinking is often a gateway into other often dangerous life choices; however, to fully understand the problems associated with T.A.D, one must look at why teenagers start drinking in the first place. T.A.D is a problem often over looked in our society. Alcohol abuse not only causes teens to misjudge things, but can also cause suicidal thoughts and causes them to choose risky sexual behaviors. (Staff, 2011) “A study showed that...
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...I believe that the drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age has changed from each state setting their own to the government passing the National Drinking Age Act of 1984 making the drinking age twenty-one. The drinking age should be lowered because eighteen is the age of maturity, helps for better control, and helps stop binge drinking and sneaking around. The drinking age should stay at twenty-one because it is medically irresponsible and helps prevent addiction. The bible neither condones nor encourages the usage of alcohol but does warn and gives rules about it. The drinking age should be lowered because it benefits the teaching and control of alcohol. The Drinking Age Should Be Lowered to...
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...Excessive drinking has become one with the “college experience” for students and in hand has altered many lives. Students who are a part of the college campus drinking culture are at risk to encounter life threatening experiences due to binge drinking. Binge drinking can be defined as one consuming 4/5 drinks at least once in a two week span. After plenty of observations, I would say that this definition is consumer friendly. With that being said, I think it is safe to say that binge drinking is “normal” and is somewhat expected among college students. So I would assume since excessive drinking is so normal that one would also consider the consequences but as some of us know, that this is not always the case. Binge drinking can lead to impaired judgment and alcohol poisoning. Both can lead to life threatening experiences. Being on a campus that is known for working hard and playing hard, I have noticed that with excessive drinking comes impaired judgment. For instance I have seen students drink way too much and the more they drink, the more their motors skills decrease or their ability to make sound decisions decrease. Basic motor skills are affected due to the consumption of alcohol, especially if you are excessively drinking and this is because alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. One can lose muscle control, reaction time is impaired, and basic senses are affected as well, like vision and hearing, making someone less aware of danger and injury. That...
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...Program in Public Health at Williams College. The article "Why the drinking age should be lowered" by Ruth C. Engs explains why adults 18 and older should be allowed to drink. The article "Lowering the Drinking Age Has Serious Consequences" by Tara Watson shows how the legal age for drinking should stay at 21. The article "Why the drinking age should be lowered" starts off by Engs explaining that young adults should be able to drink but taught how to drink responsibly. Throughout the article, Engs stays with an intelligent tone...
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...Opponent: Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Lozi Ms. Rhodes Comp 2 November 11, 2011 Opponent: Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Introduction At the present time, the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) Law is set at the age of 21 years old. Proponents would have the law revoked and the Minimum Legal Drinking Age reduced. This paper intends to prove that the MLDA should remain as it stands. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21 protects our youth and society as a whole. Evaluation of the Present MLDA: Success Drinking and Driving The present MLDA laws set at 21 are effective. “Almost every state has seen a decrease in teenage driving fatalities since the law went into effect” (Hamilton, 2008, para 3). Before the law took effect, many American youths died in car accidents that could have been avoided if this law had been in effect at the time. “Over the past 20 years, the number of 15 to 20 year olds killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes has been cut in half. The number of 15 to 20 year old drinking drivers involved in fatal crashes also has been cut in half” (Hamilton, 2008, para 15). One cannot argue with statistics. Maturity Factor Most teens would argue that we, as adults, really don’t know anything that they don’t already know. The youth of America have a sense of entitlement, and for the most part, we have created a spoiled generation. “Many youth experiment with unlawful drinking-often to disastrous effects” (National Household Survey On...
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...Brian Basic Should the Drinking age be reduced? The drinking age goes way back in history. Drinking began to be considered a problem around the 1900’s. When the government decided to pass the 18th amendment in 1919 alcohol became prohibited throughout the United States. This amendment forced all alcohol underground. The crime rate started to rise drastically throughout the country. The crime rate rose because people were buying and selling alcohol illegally. As a result of all the problems evolved, in 1923 the 23rd amendment repealed the 18th amendment abolishing the banning of alcohol from the United States. That established the modern drinking age, but the age was not the same in all of the states. The states government had the freedom of being able to assign what they felt were a good age for people to start the consumption of alcohol. Most of the states chose the age of twenty-one, but several states allowed the purchase of beer to be at eighteen. "The political failure of general Prohibition meant that American adults would increasingly focus justifications for alcohol policy less on the perils of drunkenness and more on the tenuous concept that adults can drink properly but youths cannot or should not" (Males 190). This lead to much discussion over the drinking age and the debate will go on for years to come. Throughout this debate, it lead to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which lowered the United States drinking age to eighteen. After this act...
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...art of disease prevention and health promotion as ways of prolonging life. In that regard, health needs assessments are important when tackling public health issues for communities. The assessments help to identify new health priorities to reflect changing social circumstances, and results from previous public health approaches. In addition, assessments help to realign health interventions with changes in demographics, given that individuals may not belong to only one community; they can join different communities at separate times of their lives (Hien, et al., 2010). Alcohol misuse as a contemporary health issue Alcohol misuse is a serious health problem in the United Kingdom (UK). The worsening problem occurs mainly as binge drinking or moderate drinking in the wrong circumstances. The potential addictiveness of alcohol arises from its psychoactive properties. Immediately after consumption, alcohol moves to the bloodstream and the victim quickly feels the alcohol effects on brain function. The...
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...BINGE DRINKING I am a previous alcoholic. When I was in the service and before I met my wife, I could kill a 24 pack of beer every night. It caused me a lot of problems such as financially and socially. I was not as popular as I thought I would be if I drank a lot. The financial burden was the worst. I never bought anything, but alcohol. Also, I never had any money even though I just got paid because I had drunk away my whole paycheck. I honestly feel that if I had gone to college instead of joining the Army, I would have failed and ended up dropping out because of alcohol. I finally straightened up my act when I met my wife. I realized that I had someone else besides myself to take care of financially and emotionally. Yeah I have a beer or a drink about once a year, usually on my anniversary or birthday, but that is it. After realizing that I could live a fulfilling life without alcohol in it, I am much better off. Binge drinking is a major problem on college campuses. Yes, binge drinking can be fun. Binge drinking is a problem because it is very detrimental to your health, goals in life may also be affected, and social life being influenced. Some of the major health issues that are introduced by binge drinking are alcoholism, liver disease, alcohol poisoning, maybe even death. According to The Center for Disease Control (CDC) “It is estimated that more than 38 million US adults binge drink, about 4 times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge...
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...Proposed Community Teaching The Green Group assessed the community of Sandwich, Massachusetts. During the assessment, we found that there was a high incidence of alcohol consumption. The Cape and Island residents rank below state and national averages in binge drinking, but above those averages in heavy drinking (Sustain Cape Cod). We have decided to do the teaching plan on decreasing alcohol consumption to help reduce the future risk of alcoholism throughout the community. Planning Before Teaching During the Planning phase, the group decided that we would rent the Sandwich Community Center for a presentation from 2-4p.m. • Who is invited? • Town Board members and Chamber of Commerce • Local fire and police departments • Nurses and physicians from the local health department • Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) • Nurses and physicians from Gosnald on Cape Cod (the local alcohol and drug abuse treatment center) • Local physician offices, clinics and area business were also sent invitations • Any and all volunteers to help with the seminar • Middle school, high school students, and their teachers • Local church groups • The community and their families and friends • Alcoholics anonymous with speaker (s) We encouraged them to bring any information they thought would be helpful and to have a person who would like to speak. There will be separate booths set-up from each agency or office. RSVP requested for speaking and attendance so that we will...
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...Abduction Around the world, people are abducted. Some for money, some to give the abductor a rush or a satisfaction. Lives are ruined by abductions, and some people will not be able to live a normal life. There have been cases all over the world where people have been kidnapped and been incarcerated in for example a basement for years. And after being escaped, they live in fear of the next person walking by, will abduct her or him to satisfy them selves. Another kind of abduction is what I would call a volunteered abduction where a person is convinced that is as in the text “abduction” is a good idea to move to London. But as seen the short story, written by Shelagh Delaney, it doesn’t turn out that well, and the “victim” ends up wanting to go back to when things were as before. “Abduction” written by Shelagh Delaney. The text “abduction” is about a girl called Ann, who after living her hole childhood in Manchester moves to the big city of London, to have a great job, and live her dream. She gets a wonderful job, but she is missing something, so she convinces her brother to come stay with her in London. He moves in with her, gets a great allowance, and learns a lot in the field of sex, drugs and alcohol. When he grows older he marries and have kids with a girl called Marianne. When this doesn’t work out, gets into a alcohol abuse. He ends up wanting to get away from all this, and go back to the time where he lived with his parents and his sister wasn’t pulling him...
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...nervosa, depression, and bipolar disorder, all of which were known to exist before any problems associated with drinking had developed. As a result of chronic alcohol abuse, Patient F43 is exhibiting signs of alcohol dementia and Korsakoff Syndrome, a brain disorder associated with the thiamine deficiency as a result of long-term heavy drinking. A reliance on primary and secondary evidence from renowned medical and psychological sources will be implemented to direct and assist the patient in understanding her condition as well as steps which should be taken in order to alleviate the symptoms experienced as a result of chronic drinking and nutrient deficiencies. This case study provides a critical review of the effects of alcoholism as traditionally defined within the medical or "disease" model of alcoholism. A detailed case study of memory deficiency is presented. The sequence of events in this case study is used to illustrate the possibilities of side effects of chronic alcohol abuse, namely Korsakoff syndrome. Highlights of the medical model of Korsakoff syndrome are then presented, with particular attention devoted to the key concepts of anterograde and retrograde amnesia. Lastly, suggestions for treatment and prevention of further damage will be presented. Introduction: Korsakoff Syndrome is a brain disorder usually associated with long-term heavy drinking and thiamine deficiency. Individuals with Korsakoff Syndrome tend to have profound deficits in their ability to...
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...Since drinking is a big problem with teens, we should lower the legal drinking age to the age of 18 years because you are considered to be an adult at this age. It should be lowered because you are old enough to make life changing decisions like going to war for your country and getting married. You should have the right to show that you are responsible enough to drink a beer in a safe surrounding. Fact is you get alcohol if you want to underaged or not but the question is about the place where you consume it. If something goes wrong – you or your friends need help, but nobody knows about your doing, it can be very unsafe. People would be more worried about the trouble after that, then about any health problems in form of binge drinking or violence like fights. So it is important to have a safe location, where you consume alcohol with knowing of other people. In my opinion you should have that right! If you turn 18 years old you are considered to be an adult. You can decide about marriage, you can decide to carry arms and going to war for your country. You are allowed to die for your country, but you are not allowed to decide about a drink with your friends – the government think you are responsible to do all these things, they should let you be responsible about drinking. And thats my next concern: People like to do things especially if they are illegal. They have that interest in the risk of getting caught. The consumption of Alcohol is one of these things. But if it gets...
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