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Jon Dunn ReportingTwo Utah girls recently were sent to the hospital after overdosing on alcohol. It's a sobering reminder that alcohol is still a problem among Utah teens.
So many times today, it's drugs that make the headlines among Utah's children. Prescription pills, cocaine or heroin. But it's alcohol that is still around, and as popular as ever.
Phillip Baese: " Most parents will tell you that when they look back at it, it's not that their weren't clues along the way."
Doctor Phillip Baese works with teens in the staying off substances rehab program at the U. He says one third of all high school seniors say they binge drink.
Phillip Baese: "Binge drinking is defined by five or more drinks in one sitting. That's really what binge drinking is, and, it ususally starts in early adolescence, so 12 or 13."
The problem with teens is their bodies and minds are still developing. Alcohol can be devastating.
George Vankomen: "Alcohol obviosly is a very, very dangerous drug for young people. and, they need to know that. Parents need to know the greatest influence of anyone in the community on their children when it comes to underage drinking.
Doctor George Vankomen is the chairman of the Utah Alcohol Policy Coalition.
George Vankomen: "In our community, where we have a lot of Latter-Day Saints who do not drink, they think their kid's not going to have any exposure to this. That's wrong."
Vankomen says you can't turn a blind eye when it comes to alcohol. Your kids may be smart enough to never put a needle in their arm, but peer pressure is just very strong and alcohol is just too readily available.
George Vankomen: "Some parents feel that if they talk about alcohol, they're going to put it in their mind to drink. That's not true. If you talk about alcohol... establish the value that you have, and set a good example for them, then set that no alcohol policy... they're going to listen.
Bottom line... you need to be involved. Don't be afraid to talk to your kids about alcohol, and have those conversations.
