Decisions Have Consequences
Opening
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This presentation is about saving lives
 Goal is to leave here thinking that the decisions
we make can affect whether we live or die
 Many alcohol-related deaths that we see could
be prevented
 Knowledge is power – we need to have difficult
and courageous conversations with our children
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Give them the tools and knowledge before they go
out and are influenced by friends, peers, and parties
Would Your Child…
 Get
into a vehicle with somebody who was
under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
 Accept a drink with an unknown liquid
inside it at a party?
 Know how to say “no”?
 Feel comfortable calling you with a code
word to come pick them up from a party or
friend’s home?
Drinking and Driving:
Statistics
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1 in 3 people will be involved in an alcohol related
crash in their lifetime. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “The Traffic Stop
and You: Improving Communications between Citizens and Law Enforcement.” National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, March 2001, DOT HS 809 212.
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Drunk driving causes approximately one-third of
all traffic fatalities in the United States
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for
teens, and about one-third of those are alcohol
related. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Traffic Safety Facts 2008: Young Drivers". DOT
811 169. Washington DC:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009)
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There were 12,998 alcohol-related traffic deaths in
the U.S. in 2007. This is more than 3 times the
number of American soldiers who were killed in
the first 6 years of the Iraq war.
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/international-statistics.html
Why do teens try alcohol
and other drugs?
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Peer pressure
Curiosity
Transitioning into high school or
college
History of behavior problems
Alcoholism in the family
Increased stress at home or school
Video…
 Teen
Records Fatal Drunk Driving Crash
As It Happens
Consequences
Real Life Consequences
 Judgment
and Decision Making is Impaired
 They more likely to take risks
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Unprotected Sex
Drugs
Driving while impaired
 These
things can lead to a criminal record
and/or permanent physical injury
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Or worse
Real Life Consequences
 Death
 Incarceration
 Criminal
Record
 Problems in school and the community
 Impact on ability to get into college, get onto a
sports team, or get a job
 Impact on reputation
Real Life Consequences
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Problems at the Motor Vehicle Administration
(Financial burden and Driver’s License Issues)
Sex assaults increase when alcohol is involved
Increase the risk of being the victim of a violent
crime
Alcoholism
Impact on brain development and ability to learn
Medical and physical impact (brain, liver, heart,
etc.)
Alcohol and the Teenage Brain
Alcohol and the Teenage Brain
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Link between underage drinking and permanent brain
damage
Teens’ brains are still developing at a vital point in life
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Must do well in school
Must do well on standardized tests
Must get into college
A single instance of teen binge drinking can cause
damage to:
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Brain chemistry
Brain function
Immature neurological connections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIOcrW9h1QA
In a Car Crash…
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Your internal organs keep moving, even after your body
stops
Brain injury can occur when:
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Whiplash occurs
Head forcefully hits air bag, steering wheel, or other part of the
car
Head hitting windshield is greatest impact in a car
accident
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Injury could involve the skull penetration, brain bruising, torn
brain tissue, brain bleeding, and brain swelling
The most common non-penetrative brain injury is a concussion
which could cause:
• Loss of consciousness, coma, and physical, psychological, and/or
cognitive damage
Legal
Consequences
Maryland Laws
Underage Possession of Alcohol
An individual under the age of 21 years
may not
 Possess or have under the
individual's charge or control an
alcoholic beverage OR
 Consume an alcoholic beverage
Maryland Laws
Misrepresentation of Age
 An
individual may not knowingly and
willfully make a misrepresentation or false
statement as to the age of that individual
or another
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to any person licensed to sell alcoholic
beverages
for the purpose of unlawfully obtaining,
procuring, or having unlawfully furnished an
alcoholic beverage to an individual.
Maryland Laws
Furnishing (Providing Alcohol to Others)
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A person may not furnish an alcoholic beverage
to an individual if:
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the person furnishing the alcoholic beverage knows
that the individual is under the age of 21 years; and
the alcoholic beverage is furnished for the purpose of
consumption by the individual under the age of 21
years.
An adult may not knowingly and willfully allow an
individual under the age of 21 years actually to
possess or consume an alcoholic beverage at
their residence.
Maryland Laws
Disorderly Intoxication
 While
intoxicated a person may not
endanger safety of another’s person
or property OR
 Be intoxicated or drink an alcoholic
beverage and cause a public
disturbance
Maryland Laws
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
 A person
may not operate or drive a
motor vehicle while under the influence
of alcohol or narcotics
 Maximum penalty
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First offense: one year
Repeat offenders can receive enhanced
penalties
Consequences at the MVA
 Loss
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of Driving Privileges
If you’re under 21, and your BAC is .02 or
higher, the MVA can suspend or revoke your
privilege to drive. ($500 fine)
If convicted, a minimum suspension of 45
days, maximum permanent suspension.
If other minors are in the car with you,
penalties could be enhanced. (Maximum
$4,000 fine, 4 years jail)
MVA hearings even if found not guilty.
Texting and Driving
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In 2011, 23% of car collisions involved cell
phones
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1.3 million crashes
Texting makes a crash up to 23x more likely
 More than 3,300 people die and over 420,000
are injured annually in crashes attributed to
distracted drivers
 Teens are more likely than anyone under 80 to
drive distracted, because their brains are still
developing
Texting and Driving
 Under
Maryland law, any use of a
handheld phone while driving is illegal
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Even to make a call
 Jake’s
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Law:
Crashes caused by distracted driving due to
cell phone use which result in serious injury or
death are now criminal offenses with potential
incarceration
Penalty: up to 3 years in jail or a fine of up to
$5,000
Maryland Laws
Manslaughter by Vehicle
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A person may not cause the death of another as
a result of the person's driving, operating, or
controlling a vehicle in a grossly negligent
manner.
 Drinking and driving often leads to gross
negligence
 Intent to kill is not required to be found
guilty.
 Maximum penalty: 10 yrs PER VICTIM
One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime
and it is estimated that nearly 12,000 people will die this year in drunk
driving crashes
http://accidentlawyerbirmingham.com/drunk_driver_accidents_attorney.html
Real-Life Case
State of Maryland v. Roman
Drinking
with girlfriend in Georgetown
76 MPH on Rockville Pike (40 MPH zone)
BAC .13
 Avg blood alcohol content .24 for vehicular
manslaugher cases (maximum .36)
Two victims crossing street at crosswalk
Ran over and killed by defendant
State of Maryland v. Roman
How to Say “NO”/ Avoid Drinking
 “No
thank you, I’m good”
 “I’m driving tonight”
 “I’m the designated driver”
 “I get tested at work/at school/by my
parents and I don't want to risk it."
 “I'm on the _____ team and I don't want to
risk it."
 “I’m sick/on medication.”
 “I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Alcohol Parties
 Many
teenagers and even some parents
have been recently charged with either
underage drinking or furnishing alcohol.
 It is illegal to drink underage.
 It is illegal to provide alcohol for someone
underage.
 It is illegal to provide a place for underage
people to drink.
Alcohol Parties
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Alcohol parties are not only illegal, but dangerous
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Not everybody can stay at the house overnight – most teens
may try to drive
No supervision + peer pressure =
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Greater risk of alcohol poisoning (overdosing), which can be
fatal
Chance of other risky behaviors
• Drugs
• Unprotected sex – could lead to STDs and/or unplanned pregnancy
• Violence
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If someone gets sick or hurt, others may be afraid to call
for help
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DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CALL FOR HELP
You will not get in trouble
Alcohol Parties
 In
response to underage alcohol parties,
the police have created an anonymous
text tip program through their alcohol
initiative police officers.
 How many young people die driving
away from an alcohol party?
 You will not get in trouble for reporting an
alcohol party where minors are present to
this text line.
 Text “MCPD” plus the tip information
(location) to 274637 (CRIMES)
Driving While High (Impaired)
 Drugs
other than alcohol can impair your
ability to drive just like alcohol can
 What is a Drug Recognition Expert?
 Field sobriety tests
 DUI and DWI are serious criminal offenses
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And it is the same offense for both alcohol
and drugs
Teen Deaths while Driving
 Teenagers
are dying in car crashes at a
much higher rate, particularly 16- and 17year-olds.
 In the first six months of 2011, 86 16-year
olds and 116 17-year olds died in car
crashes.
 In the first six months of 2012, those
numbers had risen to 107 16-year olds
and 133 17-year olds.
Reported by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/teenage-highway-deaths-jumped-in-2012/2013/02/25/50ea2f1e-7ea1-11e2-a350-49866afab584_story.html
What Would You Do?
 If
you were at a party and your best friend
could barely walk from alcohol or drug
abuse?
 If your friend was throwing up at a party
and said they were ok?
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If that friend said they wanted to drink more?
 If
your friend clearly had an alcohol or drug
addiction?
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What is “addiction-driven behavior”?
Tips for Teens
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Do not drink and drive
Do not be afraid to say no
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Think of a plan beforehand on how to say no and still
look good
Communicate with a friend or a parent so you
have a backup plan or code word for getting
home
 Do not allow alcohol or drugs into your vehicle
 Do not get in a car with a driver who is under the
influence
 Driving is a privilege, not a right
Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers
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Set up a code word or phrase for “come pick me
up”
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And make sure they know they can use it
Teach safe driving habits for…
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Night driving
Driving with friends
Lead by example – don’t text and drive
Establish trust that your child will not get in
trouble for acting responsibly
 Have ongoing conversations about drug and
alcohol use with your kids
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Tips for Parents
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Learn skills for effective communication with your
children
Lock up your alcohol and prescription medications
Dispose of unused and outdated medications
Seek assistance if your child is exhibiting symptoms of
mental health and/or drug or alcohol issues
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Early intervention is critical
Build your child’s confidence through school and
extracurricular etc.
 Work with other parents and the school to better educate
and monitor student activities
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The Brave and the Bold
 One
local Montgomery County high school
 32 alcohol-related deaths
 Community/parent/school effort
 The Brave and the Bold
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Presentations
Courageous conversations
Coordination of efforts to impact parents’ and
students’ decisions
False Perceptions by Teenagers
 Parents
approve of experimenting or using
drugs/alcohol
 Substances like alcohol are not dangerous
 “Everybody is doing it”
 Parents doing it means it is ok
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Alcohol, drugs, texting and driving
Final Comments
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The goal of this presentation is to save a life.
The goal of this presentation is to empower you to save
someone else’s life.
This presentation is not just about tonight:
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Beach week
Senior week
Freshman orientation at college
Living away from home
It’s about courageous conversations, effective
communication, and making good decisions.
Help them make good decisions…
The harmful effects of alcohol are REAL and
it could happen to YOU.
Be Responsible.
Be Smart.
Don’t Drink.