Role of selected risky behaviors in underage binge drinking -- a descriptive study

Abstract

Wisconsin?s culture promotes even condones alcohol use making substance abuse a major public health issue for all ages in the State. Since 1981, Wisconsin State Statues, Chapter 125 describing ?alcohol beverages? allows a parent, guardian or spouse to serve their child or spouse, who is under legal drinking age, alcohol. Operating while Intoxicated (OWI) is merely a traffic violation on the first offense and not a felony until the fifth offense (Wisconsin Statutes Database, 2007). The Wisconsin Epidemiological Profile on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse indicated that underage binge drinking rose significantly between 2003 and 2005, bringing use to the second highest rate in the Nation (28%) (Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2008). This study looks at data from the Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey for Marshfield high school students who binge drank and describes the role selected risky behaviors (riding in a car with someone who had been drinking or driving after drinking, suicide rates and parent acceptance of binge drinking) play and their implication for selecting comprehensive interventions.