Governor Napolitano: underage drinking state’s number one substance abuse problem

Underage alcohol consumption is currently the number one substance abuse problem facing Arizona youth.

The 2006 Arizona Youth Survey produced disturbing statistics about alcohol use by youth, even before high school – including the fact that 24 percent of 8th graders reported drinking in the past 30 days. More than 67 percent of children who start drinking before age 15 will move on to try another drug. This kind of substance abuse, especially at such a young age, is a serious threat to the heath and safety of our youth.

Some dismiss underage drinking as a rite of passage that many youth will experience. However, recent research shows that underage alcohol consumption damages the memory and learning areas of the brain, and can condition the brain to feel pleasure from harmful chemicals. This increases the risk of alcohol addiction, and can irreversibly damage the impulse control and judgment areas of the brain.

Ending underage drinking in Arizona is an enormous undertaking, but we must make it a priority. On October 29, representatives of the Arizona Underage Drinking Prevention Committee joined me to announce a new strategy to address underage drinking.

We must educate ourselves and our children about the risks associated with alcohol and look for ways to work with others in our community to tackle this problem. The Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families provides grants to 11 community coalitions around the state that fight underage drinking. These coalitions are comprised of law enforcement officials, representatives of local governments, members of faith communities, school officials, health care providers, businesspeople and families.

As always, I appreciate your input, and encourage you to call my office at (602) 542-1318 if you have questions or thoughts to share. Or, visit our Web site at http://www.azgovernor.gov for information and news in state government.

Have an opinion you’d like to share with Maricopa? Please email it (500-750 words) and any applicable photos to [email protected] for consideration. For more details, click here.