Salmon Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

 “What difference can I make? Kids are going to do what they do.” It’s a sentiment some adults have when it comes to teen drinking. But the reality is, one dedicated voice can have a ripple effect in preventing underage alcohol use . Parents, coaches, teachers, and any mentors – your influence matters more than you may know. Studies consistently show that when authority figures set clear expectations and model healthy behavior, teens are far less likely to drink. In fact, more than 80% of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision to drink or not drink niaaa.nih.gov . That is a powerful statistic – and a call to action for every adult in our Salmon community. Parents: The #1 Influence Parents, you are truly on the front lines. Your teen might roll their eyes, protest that “you don’t understand,” or seem to ignore your lectures – but they hear you . They care what you think. Three out of four teens say their parents’ opinions and rules ar...

 It’s an uncomfortable topic, but one that cannot be ignored: underage drinking dramatically increases the risk of sexual assault and other forms of victimization. Alcohol can make teens more vulnerable – it impairs judgment, reduces the ability to resist or recognize dangerous situations, and sadly, some predators use alcohol as a tool to prey on others. Underage binge drinking is associated with a higher likelihood of being either the victim or the perpetrator of interpersonal violence, including sexual assault niaaa.nih.gov . In our community and beyond, understanding this link is critical to protecting young people. How Alcohol Heightens Vulnerability Alcohol affects the brain’s decision-making and awareness. For someone who’s been drinking, red flags that would normally prompt caution may go unnoticed. A teen at a party who is intoxicated might go off alone with someone they normally wouldn’t trust while sober, or fail to yell for help or fight back during an aggressive situ...

 “C’mon, just one sip won’t kill you!” “Everyone’s trying it – don’t be lame.” Many teens have heard lines like these from friends or classmates urging them to drink alcohol. Peer pressure is powerful during adolescence – the desire to fit in can nudge even good kids toward risky choices. In fact, peer pressure is a leading risk factor for underage drinking library.samhsa.gov . The good news is, teens can resist and still save face socially. With the right strategies and a bit of practice, saying “no” can become no big deal. Understanding the Dynamics of Peer Pressure First, it helps to know that peer pressure comes in different forms. Sometimes it’s direct offers: “Here, have a beer.” Other times it’s more subtle – just being around others who are drinking can create an unspoken pressure to join. By ages 13–15, friends’ opinions carry a lot of weight, and teens might go along with risky behaviors to feel included library.samhsa.gov . But remember this: not all peers are drinkin...

 Amid all the alarming statistics, here’s a hopeful one: most teens do not drink alcohol. Choosing to wait until 21 (or to never drink at all) is increasingly common, and it comes with huge benefits. In fact, according to a 2023 national survey, only 14.6% of youth aged 12–20 had consumed alcohol in the past month niaaa.nih.gov – meaning over 85% had not! Despite what some movies or media portray, drinking is not a rite of passage that “everyone” does. Teens who wait to drink are in the majority, and they set themselves up for healthier, safer lives. Let’s explore why delaying alcohol use is one of the smartest choices a young person can make. Health and Safety Benefits The teenage years are a critical time for brain and body development. Alcohol can interfere with this development, potentially causing learning problems and memory issues down the road niaaa.nih.gov . By staying alcohol-free through adolescence, teens allow their brains to mature unimpeded – leading to better fo...

It’s a scenario every parent and community fears: a teen says, “It’s just one drink, what’s the big deal?” – and that single choice triggers a cascade of consequences. Unfortunately, real stories abound of “first-time” or “one-time” drinking episodes that end in tragedy or lifelong regret. Underage drinking can have immediate consequences – accidents, legal trouble, health emergencies – that alter the course of a young person’s life. Even beyond the instant outcomes, starting to drink at a young age greatly increases the risk of long-term problems with alcohol. In short, one drink, especially if it happens at age 14 or 15, can set the stage for a lifetime of challenges niaaa.nih.gov . When One Night Changes Everything Consider the following composite story, drawn from real events that happen across the country: A 17-year-old attends a friend’s graduation party. He’s never drunk alcohol before, but gives in to peer pressure and downs “just one beer” to celebrate. On the drive home, th...

Many teen athletes spend hours practicing, training, and dreaming of victory – whether it’s a state championship or simply a personal best. Yet some of those same athletes may not realize that alcohol can quietly undermine their hard work. The truth is, consuming alcohol has serious negative effects on athletic performance and recovery. It’s not just about avoiding a hangover at practice; even moderate drinking can impair coordination, endurance, and muscle development, putting teen athletes at a disadvantage on and off the field talkitoutnc.org . The Science: Alcohol’s Impact on the Body Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the body’s systems. For an athlete, this is bad news. Reaction time and hand-eye coordination – crucial for almost every sport – are dulled by alcohol talkitoutnc.org . Balance and fine motor skills suffer, which could mean missed catches, slower sprints, or even increased risk of injury during play. Experts note that alcohol isn’t performance-enhancin...

The months of May and June bring prom nights, graduation parties, and the start of summer – exciting milestones for teens in Salmon, Idaho. Unfortunately, these celebrations also come with a spike in underage drinking risks. Statistics show that roughly one-third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur between April and June – the peak of prom and graduation season poweredbypartners.org . In other words, this celebratory season is also one of the most dangerous times for our youth on the road. Why This Time of Year is Risky During graduation season, teens may face multiple events where alcohol is available or even encouraged by peers. There’s a “rite of passage” mentality that can pressure students to drink at parties. Free time increases as school winds down, and supervision might be lower at post-ceremony gatherings. Excessive alcohol use already causes about 4,000 deaths among people under 21 each year in the U.S. wbay.com , and many tragedies cluster around prom/graduat...

Alcohol advertisements are nearly impossible for teens to avoid. From flashy social media posts to TV commercials during sports events, alcohol marketing often finds its way to youth audiences. U.S. teens encounter alcohol ads regularly, and exposure to alcohol ads can fuel underage drinking  Research shows that advertising influences how young people perceive alcohol, subtly normalizing it and increasing the likelihood they’ll start drinking at an earlier age  cdc.gov cdc.gov . Ads Teens See and Why They Matter Alcohol companies claim they don’t target minors, but many ads appear in media popular with teens. Music videos, sports broadcasts, and influencer posts can all feature alcohol in a glamorous light. Over half of U.S. teens report seeing or hearing alcohol ads , whether on TV, streaming videos, or browsing the internet  wbay.com . This matters because seeing alcohol portrayed as fun or sophisticated can make teens more likely to view drinking as positive or norma...