It's not for everyone. But Stacey, who suspected her teenage daughter was drinking and lying about it, felt a home Breathalyzer was the right choice. She began making her daughter blow into it every time she came home - whether from a football game, a date, a school dance, or a movie.

"While much attention has been focused on preventing teenagers from drinking and driving, a Breathalyzer at home allows parents to determine whether their child has been drinking in other situations as well... Their use, as well as the use of drug tests, is catching on among parents concerned that their teens are drinking or using drugs."

Stacey's daughter admits that, when the Breathalyzer first appeared in their home, she thought her mom was "evil." But now, as a freshman in college, she feels like she has more mature attitude about drinking and realizes how serious the consequences can be. Source: Chicago Tribune

Labels: prevention, drug testing, consequences

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USA Swimming has suspended Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps for three months after he acknowledged the authenticity of a photograph which showed him smoking marijuana. On that same day, Kellogg Co., said it would not renew its sponsorship agreement with Phelps.

"The U.S. Olympic Committee has sent a letter to Phelps, 'offering our assistance to make certain this doesn't happen again,' committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said in an email. The publicity over the photograph has led Phelps to consider whether to compete at the 2012 Games in London..."

Phelps has since apologized for his behavior and any disappointment it may have caused his fans. Source: Bloomberg News

Labels: consequences, cost_of_addiction

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A team of researchers from the U.S., Britain and New Zealand have found that teens who begin drinking or using drugs before age 15 are more likely to engage in risky behavior well into their 30s than are individuals who remained mostly sober until much later. The risk was prevalent regardless of the teens' backgrounds or family histories.

"The 'good kids,' who were without behavior problems as children and didn't have any of the family risk factors, but who began using drugs and alcohol before 15, ended up being 3.6 times more likely to be dependent on substances at age 32. They were also more likely than the other good kids to wind up with a criminal conviction and a herpes infection."

The study did not find the same results for kids who tried alcohol or drugs just once or twice. It was only the kids who were "invested" in a lifestyle of regular use that were at risk. Source: PsychCentral

Read more: Higher Risks in Early Drinkers

Labels: consequences, adults, early_drinkers

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Under Ontario's new drunk driving law, repeat offenders will lose more than their license - they will lose their car. The new law includes a forfeiture stipulation which allows the court system to require repeat offenders to relinquish their vehicles.

"Today, in South Porcupine near Timmins, Attorney General Chris Bentley handed over a vehicle to the Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving and its member group Action Sudbury to use as they raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving."

Two vehicles have already been relinquished, as government lawyers convinced the Ontario Superior Court that the vehicles were used, and would be used, in drinking and driving offenses. Source: Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

Labels: consequences, drunk_driving, privledges

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If your child has been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires medication, they can carry around their prescriptions. But it's a different situation altogether when a teenager is found in possession of medications not belonging to her, as several Boulder, Colorado students found out last week.

"Three female Nevin Platt Middle School students were arrested on felony charges this week after an investigation into prescription-drug trading that sent a fourth girl home sick... one of the girls brought two types of prescription drugs - Strattera and Concerta, both used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - to the school..."

Prescription drug abuse is becoming increasingly common among teenagers, but few realize the dire consequences associated with using and distributing the drugs. Source: Boulder Daily Camera

Copper Canyon Academy all girls schools have a program to help girls struggling with risky behaviors such as drinking, drugging, and having sex. Learn more about their boarding schools for troubled teen girls at www.coppercanyonacademy.com.

Labels: prescription_drugs, consequences, arrested

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At just 18 years old, Christopher Gleason has enough experience with alcohol addiction to speak with authority about the damage it can cause. He has been drinking since he was 12 and is now in a rehabilitation program. He spoke to a group of Connecticut teens, hoping to discourage them from following in his footsteps.

"As part of a panel discussion on the consequences of underage drinking, Gleason talked about how alcohol and drugs have impacted his life. He'd go to parties and black out, remembering only the earlier part of the evenings. He'd get into fights, he said, and other trouble. He's also burned a lot of bridges."

Though four other panelists participated in the discussion, it was Chris' stories that teens connected with the most. Read more at TheDay.com.

Labels: consequences, role_models, effects

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