When "Not Yets" Become a Reality

 

For the underage drinker: You may think, "none of these things have happened to me and this information is so uncool." Perhaps you are not a statistic ... yet. But a time may come when the "not yets" come to be a reality in your life. Unfortunately, this has been true for plenty of people. Please consider all of the possibilities before you pick up that drink. Your life or the life of someone know may depend upon it.

 

For all Marylanders: The costs associated with underage drinking in Maryland in this 2010 report totaled $1.3 billion dollars, including medical costs, work lost costs, and pain and suffering costs. It's easy to turn a blind eye to these facts when you mistakenly think it's not directly impacting you. But the fact is, that you are affected by the underage drinking problem - one way or another.

 

(click on graphic for a larger view)

Please submit your "I Knew Someone Who ..." 

stories, poetry, art, music, videos

on the dangers of underage and/or binge drinking to:

 canyouaffordit@gmail.com.

 

We will gladly share your submission anonymously.
 

"3,000,000 Young People Need Help with Alcohol Problems"

 

The costs of problem drinking/alcoholism are high

 

The George Washington University Medical Center has and excellent website entitled, "Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems." Not only does it offer an Alcohol Cost Calculator for businesses,  but also an Alcohol Cost Calculation for Kids.

Did You Know ...

 

Children between the ages of 15 and 20 who have an alcohol use disorder are more likely than their peers to have personal and mental health problems as well as find themselves in trouble at home and in their community? 

Problems for Our Kids:

Source: National Comorbidity Survey
	5 times more likely to attempt suicide.
	4.5 times more likely to get into a serious fight.
	3.5 times more likely to carry a weapon.
	3 times more likely to be hospitalized with a mental health problem.
	3 times more likely to have a conduct disorder.
	1.5 times more likely to get into an accident, injure, or poison themselves.
	Almost twice as likely to have multiple sexual partners.

VIDEO: How Did I Get Here?

 

A powerful video about the consequences of binge drinking

A Harsh Reality

Have you ever been to a party where the chugging games became the focus? The group decides to get as hammered as possible, as quickly as possible? At the time it's exhilarating ... "everyone is doing it" ... "it's all in fun" ... "this party rules!"  

 

This isn't a lecture series - we promise. We just want you to have all of the information. It could save your life or the life of someone you know.

"Binge drinkers are 39% more likely to suffer a stroke

than those who never binge drink."

- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

"I Knew Someone Who ...
... had a son who died at college after a night of binge drinking. The parents sent their son off to a great college with much hope for his future. This bright college freshman, who had been shy in high school, was all about his new-found freedom. Even though his father, a recovering alcoholic, had cautioned him about the pressure to party in college, the unthinkable happened. The worst nightmare a parent can experience came to be a reality. The parents received the call that no parent should ever receive. Their son was dead. They learned that the previous night, their son attended a party where guzzling a grain alcohol mix was the goal. This apparently went on for some time. The next morning, the son's roommate discovered his body on their dorm room floor. This continues to be a heartbreaking loss for this young man's family."

~ Anonymous

Welcome to "I Knew Someone Who ..."

 

Many of us have known someone who experienced some pretty tough consequences as a direct result of underage or binge drinking. Whether you are in middle school, high school, college, grad school, the military, the work force, or are a parent, we are hoping for your participation in the "I Knew Someone Who ..." of the "Can You Afford It?" campaign.      

Our intention for launching this
social media community is two-fold:

 

1. to offer important information and current research about the potential risks associated 
with underage and binge drinking

 

2. to invite you to share through stories,
poetry, artwork, music, and videos
how underage and binge drinking 
have negatively impacted you
or someone you know

You may post directly to our Facebook Fan Page or tweet on Twitter. Because we respect your privacy, we also welcome you to email your submissions anonymously to: canyouaffordit@gmail.com.

Thank You!

~ Community Alcohol Coalition in St. Mary's County, Maryland