People who drink heavily often wind up doing things they really didn't want to do. They end up in accidents, fights, and other bad situations that harm property, other people, and themselves
Each year an estimated 5,000 people under the age of 21 dies from alcohol related injuries. Alcohol is a factor in about 4 out of every 10 deaths from car crashes, drowning, burns, falls and other unintentional injuries.
Deadly car crashes
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in people aged 15 to 20. Deadly crashes involving alcohol are twice as common in teens compared with people 21 and older. That’s because teens are not as experienced with driving, and their judgment skills are harmed more by alcohol, even if they drink less than adults.
Drowning and other deaths
Mixing drinking with swimming or boating can be fatal. Four out of 10 teens who drown have been drinking alcohol. Underage drinking has also been linked with deaths and injuries from burns, falls, alcohol poisoning, and suicide.
- Up to 70% of all admissions to hospital accident and emergency departments are linked to alcohol misuse.
- Up to 22,000 premature deaths a year are linked to alcohol misuse.
- Alcohol misuse is a factor in around 1000 suicides a year.
- There are over 500 drink-driving deaths each year.
- It is estimated that 50 percent of violent crime is alcohol-related
- Teens who drink alcohol are more likely than non-drinkers to smoke marijuana, use inhalants, or carry a weapon
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