October 7, 2005- Underage Drinking

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In Hawaii, over ten thousand students from grade six through twelve suffer from alcohol abuse.

These teens are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence as well as behavioral problems.

Underage drinking leads to abuse of other drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, or “ice.” 

Alcohol negatively affect our youth in and out of the classroom, including poor academic performance, decreased physical and mental development.

Too often, underage drinking leads to death - whether as the result of a traffic accident, or as a horrible ending to a night of binge drinking. 

The law is clear.  If you’re under 21, it’s illegal to drink.

And if you’re an adult and you provide alcohol to a minor, you will be liable for any damage caused by those underage drinkers. 

Help protect our youth and keep our communities safe by preventing underage drinking.

Mahalo. This is Lt. Governor Duke Aiona.