Known to all is the fact that people who are not 21 years old get together at parties, without parental supervision, and drink alcohol- and that’s a crime in the United States, and a handful of Muslim countries such as Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan where religious tradition frowns on alcohol in general.
Just about every other country in the world has set the drinking age – if they have one – at 18 years of age. This is the age when, in the United States, you are considered an adult, you are emancipated: you can vote; you can be drafted; you can sign contracts; you can take on enormous debt for college; but, you cannot drink.
Recently, in Franklin Lakes, several underage drinkers from each of the FLOW towns, and one 21 year old, were arrested for a variety of alcohol related charges. The police found one girl unconscious, and she and another underage female were transported to a local hospital – everyone faces criminal charges.
Fear of reporting a friend in medical distress should not deter teens from calling 911 in an emergency. In 2009, NJ passed the 911 Lifeline Legislation which provides immunity for underage drinkers who call 911 on behalf of another underage drinker….with very reasonable expectations. In order to be given immunity:
A) One of the underage persons called 9-1-1 and reported that another underage person was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption;
B) The underage person who called 9-1-1 and, if applicable, one or two other persons acting in concert with the underage person who called 9-1-1 provided each of their names to the 9-1-1 operator;
C) The underage person was the first to make the 9-1-1 report; and
D) The underage person and, if applicable one or two other persons acting in concert with the underage person who made the 9-1-1 call remained on the scene with the person under the legal age in need of medical assistance until assistance arrived and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene.
There has been an ongoing public discussion concerning the fairness and effectiveness of the 21 year age limit for alcohol consumption in America. Reports, research, petitions, and debates continue with no clear or decisive answer on just how effective the higher drinking age is in keeping youth safe. Statistics show a steady decline in alcohol related traffic deaths; but, in that same time period there has been an aggressive public relations campaign to raise awareness of the dangers; police enforcement has increased and become consistent; seat belt laws have become common place; and air bags in cars have become ubiquitous.
With the vast majority of countries in the world setting their drinking age at 18, it is reasonable to discuss whether the American model is all that more effective. In 2008, 100 college presidents signed a letter arguing that the drinking age should be lowered back to 18 years old, and that actually encourages American youth to participate in more high risk drinking than their global counterparts. Prominent schools such as Syracuse, Tufts, Colgate, Kenyon, Morehouse, Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State signed on.
Alcohol can be dangerous, and even more so since the symptoms of alcohol poisoning often are the same as that of a person who is drunk – but there are signs to be aware of:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
- Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
- Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Passing out (unconsciousness) and can’t be awakened
In addition to alcohol poisoning, many deaths occur from people choking on their vomit. Do not leave an unconscious person alone as alcohol can affect how the gag reflex works, someone with alcohol poisoning may choke on his or her own vomit and not be able to breathe- make sure to turn his or her head to the side — this helps prevent choking.
First and foremost, do not worry about the consequences for yourself or your friend if you’re underage – in New Jersey – you have immunity if you “do the right thing” and call 911 for help.