ER visits linked to underage drinking quadruples on New Year’s--study

Statistics from a recent study reveal that New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are occasions so alcohol infused that ER visits for alcohol poisoning, injuries and drunken mishaps nearly quadruple, compared to average days.

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde stated, "This stunning increase in underage drinking-related emergency room visits on New Year's Day should be a wake-up call to parents, community leaders and all caring adults about the potential risks our young people face for alcohol-related accidents, injuries and death during this time of year."

She added, "Parents, clergy, coaches, teachers and other role models must do everything they can to positively influence young people -- including talking with them early and often about the many health dangers underage drinking poses to their physical and emotional health and well-being.”

Statistics of underage drinking revealed that compared to an average day in the year, when emergency room visits involving alcohol abuse across the United States were 546, the number of visits on Jan. 1, 2009, surged to 1,980, which means the number quadrupled on New Year’s Eve.

Analysis of data from DAWN
A study by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) analyzed data provided by Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), a public health information system, which monitors drug-related hospital emergency department visits in the United States to find the extent of underage drinking on New Year’s.

Statistics of underage drinking revealed that compared to an average day in the year, when emergency room visits involving alcohol abuse across the United States were 546, the number of visits on Jan. 1, 2009, surged to 1,980, which means the number quadrupled on New Year’s Eve.

According to researchers, New Year makes for a very busy day at the ER when it came to underage drinking, leaving other party holidays like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, 4th of July far behind.

The study found Memorial Day weekend had 676 ER visits by people under 2, and Fourth of July weekend had over 900 visits.

Brent Blackburn with the Palmers Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) stated that apart from binge drinking incidents, “there's sexual assault, violence, car crashes, and a number of issues that occur as a result of underage drinking.”

Need for parental guidance
Experts believe the odds of kids getting addicted to alcohol and drugs is far less when they learn about the risks and dangers from their parents.

They feel a timely intervention by all parents and concerned adults to educate teenagers about alcohol facts might bring a vital change in a student's life.

"Parents need to be very clear in giving their children under the age of 21 the message that it's not acceptable for them to be drinking," Frances Harding, director of the Center for Mental Health Services at the SAMHSA said.

The study has been published in the 'Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.'