What is the Big Deal About Alcohol?
One of our areas of focus is to prevent and reduce youth alcohol use.
MOST Stoughton Youth DO NOT use alcohol.
and Alcohol is the #1 Drug used by teens
Stoughton teens are similar to teens across the United States. Although most Stoughton High Students report that they have never used alcohol, among those that do use, alcohol is used the most frequently.
Misperception of Peer use is a risk factor for drinking.
Stoughton High students, like their peers across the County, grossly overestimate what percentage of their peers use alcohol (and also other drugs) and they overestimate how much they use. In an average month, 87% of Stoughton High Students report not drinking, but most think that only 42% (less than half) actually abstain from drinking. This false belief that most of their peers are drinking increases the likelihood that they will drink.
Adolescent Brain Still Under Construction
The adolescent brain is still growing and developing until age 25! That makes young people particularly susceptible to long term impacts of early alcohol and other drug use. Youth who begin drinking prior to the age of 15 are 4x more likely to develop dependance on alcohol than those who wait until after they are 21.