URBANA – More teens are at risk for drinking and drug related accidents during prom and graduation time. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 30.5 million people aged 12 or older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year.
More than one-third of youth under the age of 21 killed in alcohol-related fatalities in 2001 died during the months of April, May and June - prom and graduation season - according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2001 alone, 2,950 children under 21 died in alcohol-related traffic fatalities – nearly half of which died in the months of April, May and June.
“Fighting underage drinking is particularly important at graduation time”, said Michelle Sweet, LCSW, Carle Addiction Recovery Center. Sweet focuses on adolescent, substance abuse and codependency issues. “Even more disturbing is the fact that many report getting alcohol from their parents or their friends' parents.”
Carle Addiction Recovery Center is comprised of an experienced team of medical specialists, including physicians, certified addiction counselors, nurse practitioners and licensed clinical professional counselors. Our staff provides confidential, holistic, medically-based treatment programs for any type of substance addiction, from alcohol and narcotics to prescription drugs and cigarettes.
For more information on Carle Addiction Recovery Center, go to
www.carle-clinic.com/recovery_center/.