“What happened last night?”

If someone has asked that question, and they are under 21, then that person has probably been drinking. As younger teens start to consume alcohol, the deaths rack up in homicides, car crashes and suicides. Studies from the Department of Health and Human Services show that an average high schooler has consumed some type of alcohol at some time in middle school or high school. Unfortunately, a growing percent of those teens are abusing all kinds of alcohol, from beer to mouthwash.

More and more kids think that drinking is bad at a young age, but when they hit 14 they begin to try anything that is dangerous, from drinking to driving. Peer pressure plays a big role in underage drinking. Is it worth it to be cool for a few years only to live for half of their life? All the laws around underage drinking aren’t very serious, and almost anyone can get away with it.

If underage teens continue to drink, then what is the point of laws?

Everyone can help. Parents should talk to their kids. Teens should talk to their friends. Don’t just let others hurt themselves and others. Together we can help to slow most underage drinking in Maine.

Matthew Breer