Running head: ADVOCACY THROUGH LEGISLATION
1
Advocacy Through Legislation
Student’s Name
Institution
, ADVOCACY THROUGH LEGISLATION
2
Problem
Underage drinking is one of the issues affecting the community. Excesses consumption of alcohol causes 4,300 deaths annually
among underage people and it cost the United States $24 billion as economic costs in 2010 (CDC, 2020). The buying of alcohol by
people aged below 21 is considered illegal, but the number of underage people drinking has increased in recent years (CDC, 2020).
They engage in binge drinking as they consume a lot of drinks on a single occasion than adults. CDC (2020) found that individuals
aged between 12 and 20 consumed 11% of the alcohol taken in the country and over 90% was binge drinks. The excessive
consumption of alcohol in this group has negative consequences on health as it causes substance abuse disorders, accidents and
injuries. Young people drive under the influence of alcohol and this increases the risk of accidents, injuries and deaths. They also
drop out of school or miss classes and consequently report poor academic performance. On top of that, alcohol consumption leads to
risky sexual behaviors and increase in sexual diseases and unwarranted pregnancies. Young people are exposed to physical and
sexual abuse and suicide. They are at a higher risk of dying from alcohol poisoning and using other drugs that impair their
development. The failure to address the problem will lead to more intake of alcohol and the negative consequences mentioned
above. Young people will develop substance use disorders that will compromise their development and functioning even in
adulthood (CDC, 2020).
1
Advocacy Through Legislation
Student’s Name
Institution
, ADVOCACY THROUGH LEGISLATION
2
Problem
Underage drinking is one of the issues affecting the community. Excesses consumption of alcohol causes 4,300 deaths annually
among underage people and it cost the United States $24 billion as economic costs in 2010 (CDC, 2020). The buying of alcohol by
people aged below 21 is considered illegal, but the number of underage people drinking has increased in recent years (CDC, 2020).
They engage in binge drinking as they consume a lot of drinks on a single occasion than adults. CDC (2020) found that individuals
aged between 12 and 20 consumed 11% of the alcohol taken in the country and over 90% was binge drinks. The excessive
consumption of alcohol in this group has negative consequences on health as it causes substance abuse disorders, accidents and
injuries. Young people drive under the influence of alcohol and this increases the risk of accidents, injuries and deaths. They also
drop out of school or miss classes and consequently report poor academic performance. On top of that, alcohol consumption leads to
risky sexual behaviors and increase in sexual diseases and unwarranted pregnancies. Young people are exposed to physical and
sexual abuse and suicide. They are at a higher risk of dying from alcohol poisoning and using other drugs that impair their
development. The failure to address the problem will lead to more intake of alcohol and the negative consequences mentioned
above. Young people will develop substance use disorders that will compromise their development and functioning even in
adulthood (CDC, 2020).
