Underage Drinking Research Paper

Many teens in the United States participate in underage drinking. Statistics say that 11% of alcohol consumed in America is from people under the age of 21. In this paper we will discuss the negative outcomes of underage drinking such as health issues, long-term effects, and the effects it has on society.
People under the age of 21 don’t understand the negative effect drinking has on the body. When underage drinking occurs usually it is in the form of binge drinking. Binge drinking can cause memory loss, blackouts, and memory loss if this is done for long period of time is can result in permanent brain damage. In the article “Know Your Limits” it states, “Young people's brains are particularly vulnerable because the brain is still developing during their teenage years. Alcohol can damage parts of the brain, affecting behavior and the ability to learn and remember”. Underage drinking also affects the intestine by causing ulcers and possibly cancer in the colon. It also interferes with the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients. A persons body need all

In an article from the “U.S. Department of Justice” it states, “Underage drinking has both immediate and long-term economic consequences. Recent estimates calculated by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation put the total cost of underage drinking at $68 billion in 2007. According to this analysis, underage drinking costs $1 (e.g., rebuilding property damage or vehicles after traffic crashes, medical care, or legal fees for violent acts) for every drink that an underage drinker consumes”. Underage drinking costs society a lot of money and time, for medical costs alone it costs 7.4 billion dollars because people preform risky acts when under the influence that result in injury and a hospital visit. Underage drinking cost society 14.9 billion in work loss costs, and 45.7 billion in quality of