Everybody is talking about teens and alcohol

BEFORE YOU READ: in the UK you can’t drink alcohol in a pub before you’re 18.

· At what age can you drink alcohol in your country?

· Have you ever tasted alcohol? Yes No

Teens and alcohol are big news in the UK. More of today’s teens are drinking. And they start drinking when they’re younger. A 10-year-old was in the news because he drank a lot of alcohol. CROWN investigates…

DRINK DATA

In the UK …

· 90% of children have tried alcohol before they’re 15.

· 25% of childrenhave tried alcohol before they’re 10.

· About 1,000 children go to hospital each year with alcohol poisoning.

· 50% of 12-14-year-olds have already had a bad experience with alcohol.

TRUE STORY: “I drank a bottle of vodka a day”

Victoria started drinking when she was at boarding school. She was 13.

“One weekend, some friends and I drank a small bottle of vodka. It made me feel happy.”

“By the time I was 16, I drank a bottle of vodka a day. I started to need alcohol when I woke up in the morning. I missed classes or arrived late. I had a bad problem, but nobody knew. By 17, I didn’t have any friends.”

“Four month before my exams, the school sent me home. My parents helped me to stop drinking and I took my exams. But I soon started again.”

When she was 18, Victoria went to a special hospital to stop her drinking. “I was there for 14 weeks.”

Victoria hasn’t had a drink of alcohol for eight years. Now she works as a personal trainer. “My life is good now,” she says.

Who gave Victoria the best help?

Her friends her school her parents

If you had a big problem like Victoria, who would you ask for help?

MARIO RITTER: Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.

(MUSIC)

I'm Mario Ritter. We have a report on the effects of binge drinking on the brains of young adults.