Boise, April 23, 2012 - In response to citizen complaints, Boise
Police conducted a "party patrol" this past Saturday night, April
21st. The goal of
the "party patrols" is to reduce injuries, accidents and car
crashes that often result from underage drinking.
On Saturday, officers received complaints
of loud parties including litter and beer bottles being
left on neighborhood streets. Officers located two such parties,
both with about 100 people, one in the area of Broadway
Ave.and W. Beacon Street, the second near Lincon Ave and Belmont
Street. Many of those at the parties were identified by
officers as minors (under age 21). Officers also found dozens of
minors drinking alcohol, including three with very high blood
alcohol content of .22, .19, and .18. One person was arrested
for DUI coming from one of the parties.
Officers issued the following citations between the two
parties:
- 38 underage drinking citations
- 1 providing false info to Police
- 1 resisting and obstructing arrest
- 4 Open container violations
For more information on why officers make it a priority to keep
teens safe by enforcingIdaho's underage drinking laws, click
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKCFefMX700
DANGERS OF TEEN
DRINKING from www
dontserveteens.gov
Teens don't just drink. They drink to excess.
More than 8 percent of eighth graders, 16 percent of sophomores,
and 24 percent of seniors report recent binge drinking (5+ drinks
on the same occasion).
Statistics show that the majority of current teen drinkers got
drunk in the previous month. That includes 50 percent of the high
school sophomores who drink and 65 percent of the high school
seniors who drink.
Underage drinking is linked to injury and risky behavior.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, about 5,000 kids under 21
die every year as a result of underage drinking - from crashes,
homicides, and suicides. Teens that drink also are at risk for a
long list of other injuries and potential life-long alcohol abuse.
Reducing underage drinking can reduce drinking-related harm.
Brain Development and Alcohol Abuse: Research indicates that the
human brain continues to develop into a person's early 20s, and
that exposure of the developing brain to alcohol may have
long-lasting effects on intellectual capabilities and may increase
the likelihood of alcohol addiction.
The age when drinking starts affects future drinking problems. For
each year that the start of drinking is delayed, the risk of later
alcohol dependence is reduced by 14 percent.
Drinking & Driving: Car crashes are the leading cause of
death among people ages 15 to 20. About 1,900 people under 21 die
every year from car crashes involving underage drinking. Young
people are more susceptible to alcohol-induced impairment of their
driving skills. Drinking drivers aged 16 to 20 are twice as likely
to be involved in a fatal crash as drinking drivers who are 21 or
older.
Suicide: Alcohol use interacts with conditions like depression
and stress, and contributes to an estimated 300 teen suicides a
year. High school students who drink are twice as likely to
have seriously considered attempting suicide, as compared to
nondrinkers. High school students who binge drink are four times as
likely to have attempted suicide, as compared to nondrinkers.
Sexual Behavior: Current teen drinkers are more than twice as
likely to have had sexual intercourse within the past three months
than teens who don't drink. Higher drinking levels increase the
likelihood of sexual activity. Adolescents who drink are more
likely to engage in risky sexual activities, like having sex with
someone they don't know or failing to use birth control.
Other Risks: Teens who drink alcohol are more likely than
nondrinkers to smoke marijuana, use inhalants, or carry a
weapon. Binge drinking substantially increases the likelihood
of these activities.
Academic Performance: A government study published in 2007 shows
a relationship between binge drinking and grades. Approximately
two-thirds of students with "mostly A's" are non-drinkers, while
nearly half of the students with "mostly D's and F's" report binge
drinking. It is not clear, however, whether academic failure leads
to drinking, or vice versa.
What can citizens do to
help?
Boise Police join Mothers Against Drunk
Drivers in urging parents to talk to their kids about making smart
choices and highlighting the dangers of drinking alcohol while
under 21.
A MADD survey has found parents have a
greater influence than many parents might think over the choices
their children make. Boise Police encourage parents to take
advantage of a helpful web site provided by MADD: thepowerofparents.org to help identify ways
parents and concerned adults can keep kids safe from the dangers of
alcohol.
Call Crime
Stoppers:
Boise Police encourage citizens who know
of places who serve alcohol to minors, or of places who may be
serving already intoxicated patrons to contact Crime Stoppers.
Boise Police will follow up on citizen tips. You can contact Crime
Stoppers at 343-COPS, or log onto www.343cops.com, or text CRIMES or 274637,
subject: Tip236.
Let's work together and keep our kids
safe! Local online resources:
http://betheparents.org/
http://www.drugfreeidaho.org/join-the-coalition/parents/