KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - During the summer when youth have more time on their hands, risky behaviors go on the upswing. Through a straight-talking public awareness campaign, Public Health -
Seattle & King
County
advises youth to make the right choices this summer by staying away from alcohol and other drugs and avoiding risky situations such as driving under the influence.
“We want youth to have a fun and healthy summer, but alcohol can turn good times bad,” said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health -
Seattle & King
County
. “Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among youth and is a major risk factor in the three leading causes of death among adolescents: motor vehicle crashes, homicides and suicides,”
To view or listen to the campaign, visit Public Health’s Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program web site at: www.metrokc.gov/health/atodp. The radio ads will be heard on at least three youth-oriented radio stations, and ads will appear on Metro buses as well as in local publications.
The campaign lets young people know that alcohol use can have real and devastating consequences, including leading to car crashes, poisoning, drowning, assaults and injuries. Youth seeking peer support and information are directed to the Washington State Teenline at 206-722-4222 or www.theteenline.org.
Summer is high risk time of year because youth tend to have more unstructured, unmonitored leisure time and are involved in more water activities. With the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, the potential for problems increases.
Nationally:
- Teens who are “often bored” are 50% more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, get drunk and use other drugs than teens who are not “bored.”
- First-time use of marijuana spikes during the summer months. Each summer day, approximately 6,100 youth try marijuana for the first time.
- Alcohol is involved in an estimated 40-50% of drowning deaths among young males.
In a 2004 survey of 10th graders in King County:
- Approximately one out of three youths drank alcohol in the previous month
- Almost 17% used marijuana and other illegal drugs in the previous month
- More than 60% said it was easy to get alcohol
- Close to half said that marijuana was easily accessible
This campaign is supported by federal prevention funds received via the Washington State Department of Social & Health Services’ Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse.
