W H Y  F O C U S  O N

A L C O H O L ?

• Alcohol is a gateway drug.
• The most commonly used drug by youth. (74% of 7-12 grade students)
• Widely abused by underage drinkers (Secondary students in TX believe alcohol is easier to obtain than tobacco.)
• Used at earlier and earlier ages (12.4 is the average age of first use of beer in TX.)
• Impedes normal emotional growth
• Alcohol affects the brain area for impulse control,
  attention, memory, and problem solving.
• Sexually active teens are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior.
• Alcohol use, purchase, and possession are illegal for underage youth.

C o m m o n 

C o m e b a c k s

• “How can alcohol really be dangerous if it”s legal?”
  Alcohol is the leading contributor to death among youth.  Children who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more likely  to report academic problems, substance use, and delinquent behavior in both middle school and high school.
• “If you’re old enough to die for your country in war, why shouldn’t you be allowed to drink at 18?” 
  The brain does not finish developing until the early 20’s. Those who drink before age 15 are 5 X's more likely to become alcohol dependent than someone who begins drinking at 21. Highest prevalence of alcohol dependence is with 18-20yrs.
• “If there was no minimum drinking age, we could learn to drink responsibly like in other countries.” Europeans are the greatest consumers of alcohol, Czech Republic-the most beer, Luxembourg-the most wine, Russian Federation and Thailand-the most spirits. In Europe, 2003, 2.3 million cases of alcoholism, 1.8 million deaths with 1/3 of all traffic accidents related to alcohol were reported. The rate of binge drinking was higher in every country, except Turkey.
• “I’m experienced; I know how to handle my liquor. I  know my limits.”
  Reaching a BAC level between .1 and .25 a person will have memory loss and be numb from the alcohol; thus, a person often continues to drink. Body size, chemistry, metabolism, gender, all make a difference. The speed of alcohol absorption affects the rate at which one becomes drunk.
• “Beer isn’t as bad for you as hard liquor.”
  12 oz. beer, 1 oz. shot of 100 proof liquor, and 5 oz. of wine have the same amount of alcohol. The amount consumed is still the same amount of alcohol. Alcohol related fatalities are caused primarily by the consumption of beer (80%) followed by liquor and wine (20%).
• “He/she does it to himself/herself all the time. I know  people who drink and they’re fine.”
  Just because someone is a tolerant drinker doesn’t mean he/she can’t experience the effects of the alcohol, including alcohol poisoning. Would you know if it’s a lethal dose?

 MICHAEL’S STORY

On August 3rd, 1999, we lost our son on his 21st birthday to alcohol poisoning. Michael Wagener was a senior; he had his whole life ahead of him. He was a leader among his peers and was reviewing options for graduate school.  It all went away in one night. Michael was not an alcoholic, nor did he have an alcohol abuse problem. He  was health conscious. It was just one night of celebratory drinking that killed him. That’s all it takes. Unfortunately, there is only one way to know your lethal limit. We wouldn’t want this to happen to you or your loved ones. Lack of awareness on Michael’s part, as well as the friends with him, contributed to his death. Please take the time to educate yourself and others about responsible alcohol use and to make good decisions.

W H Y  T H I S 

P R O G R A M ?  

As a parent, educator, or community leader you are a powerful influence in any young person’s life. Your awareness of these programs and information shared will assist in opening the lines of communication with regards to alcohol consumption. People focus on not driving drunk, but we really don’t say too much about alcohol poisoning. We need to focus on both; the necessity for a designated driver and the lethal limit of alcohol.

Education alone cannot make the same impact as real  people, real stories.

W H O  A M  I ?

My name is Susan Wagener, a licensed counselor and educator. I have worked with middle school, high school and college-age youth for 30 years. Over the last several years my husband and I have worked to address and
increase alcohol awareness.

Currently, I facilitate GriefShare, loss and grief support groups, as community outreach and
with Gulf Area MADD. I assist with SHSU Alcohol Abuse Initiative and Texans Standing
Tall. I am available for speak-ing upon request.

The Wageners at the TABC hearing in March, 2001

I N I T I AT I V E S &
P R O J E C T S

Since our son’s death my husband and I have spoken to Aggie Moms’ clubs across the state of Texas; as far north as Dallas, west as San Antonio, and south as McAllen. With TAMU support I have spoken at the Federation Meetings, Aggie Moms’ Fish Camp, and the Corps of Cadets. I have spoken with several middle school, high school, and college-age youth, Harris Co. Juvenile Probation, U of H, UT-Pan American, SHSU, TSU, SMU, and Baylor College of Medicine. Each spring I have presented to seniors prior to prom and graduation. Currently, I am working with MADD, TABC, and Texans Standing Tall, the statewide coalition against underage drinking. In 2005 I gave testimony before the Texas House of Representatives Committee for reviewing underage drinking, as well as the Texas Sunset Review Committee for TABC. Three bills were introduced as a result of the testimony.

21st BIRTHDAY CARD PROJECT
Because of the Wagener’s efforts, every student at TAMU and SHSU receives a birthday cardfrom the university. A week before their 21st birthday, a card arrives with informationabout alcohol poisoning and a message from the Wageners.

VIDEO PROJECT
The Wageners also participated in the creation of a videotape shown to the students. It featuressix vignettes about drinking and includes a message from them. It is
shown in the required health and fitnessclasses,during student leadershipprograms and at Fish Camp. Currently, other universities are establishingsimilar programs using our material.

 “Never doubt the difference one can make, one individual at a time... imagine the difference a committed group can make, one group of individuals at a time.”

ALCOHOL STATISTICS

• Texas continues to leads the nation in youthalcohol-related crash fatalities. (National Highway Traffic Safety Adm., 2005)
  

  ---

• Drivers who are impaired are more likely to exceed the speed limit and less likely to wear seat belts. (NHTSA, 2000)
  

  ---

• 43.7% of 8th grade students
  62.7% of 10th grade students
  74.3% of 12th grade students
  reports using alcohol in the past year.
  

  ---

• Alcohol was the most frequently used drug by college students, with 84.2% reporting using alcohol in the past year.

  ---

• 24.2% of college students report frequent alcohol use (at least 3 times a week), and 42.5% report moderate use (once a month - once a week). (Alcohol and Drugs College Campuses: A Report to College Presidents, Core Institute, 1997).

  ---

• 75% of the men and 55% of the women involved in reported aquaintance rapes stated alcohol and/or other drugs were a factor.

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

• Person is unconscious, cannot wake up
• Difficulty standing or walking, or unable to do so
• Person is poorly aware of surroundings
• Exhibits respiratory difficulties - slow, labored breathing (below 10 breaths per minute)
• Fever or chills
• Fingernail beds or gums are bluish
• Extremities are cold, bluish, or clammy
• Vomiting while semiconscious or unconscious
• Increased, decreased, or irregular pulse (above 100 or below 60 beats per minute)
• Mixed alcohol with perscription, over-thecounter, or illicit drugs
• Fruity breath smell

 CONTACT SUSAN WAGENER

	Home: 281-429-2498 Cell: 281-381-7812
	wagener@nctv.com

REFERENCES

ADDITIONAL INFO

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

www.samhsa.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence, Inc.

National Organizations for Youth Safety

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Alcohol and Drugs on American Campuses and Colleges

Texas Alcohol & Beverage Commission

Statewide coalition; Youth action - “What part of zero don’t you understand?”

The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center

MADD partnership with youth to combat underage drinking

 “Never doubt the difference one can make, one individual at a time... imagine the difference a committed group can make, one group of individuals at a time.”