POP QUIZ: At Your Age, How Much Alcohol is Too Much?
The answer is simple: If you are under the legal drinking age, any amount of alcohol is too much.
Don’t believe it? Ask your parents. Listen to their advice. They can help you learn why you shouldn’t drink alcohol.
There’s a reason underage drinking is against the law– it’s dangerous. And there are many reasons why it’s dangerous foryoung people, which you’ll discover here. In fact, too much alcohol can be downright life-threatening. The danger is not just to you but also to people around you.
If you know how to ask, listen, and learn, then you know how to stay safe. Alcohol can be one of the biggest risks to people your age. It is also one of the easiest risks to avoid.
These pages will tell you the hard truth about alcohol, and they’ll get you to think about it. Ask. Listen. Learn.
That’s A.L.L. you have to do.
10 WAYS OUT
People your age sometimes feel it’s hard to say no to alcohol– even to a best friend. If anyone offers you a drink, be prepared with an answer to refuse it. That way you won’t feel pressured to think one up on the spot. Below are seven possible ways to say no. Some are straightforward, while others are more creative than “I’m not allowed.” Try to remember them all– and make up three of your own, too. By the way, all of these responses were made up by kids like you!
- I’m not a follower. I’m a leader– and I’m saying NO!
- That’s not my style.
- No way… that’s not for me.
- I’m not a drinker, I’m a thinker!
- No thanks, I’m allergic to alcohol.
- Sorry, but alcohol is not good for my gorgeous body.
- I’m way too cool for that stuff.
- Add your own ideas!
A WIN-WIN SITUATION
Awards are usually given for something you have done. However, these awards are given for something you have not done (and will not do)– drink alcohol underage. As you continue going through this booklet, you’ll learn more and more about the dangers of underage drinking, and you’ll realize that you don’t need awards to avoid alcohol. Still, you deserve an award anyway! As you complete the activity described on the Award Card, fill in your name and then present the page to your parents to trade it in for a great award.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU DRINK.
Download the brochure for more information and educational games!