Photo courtesy: Avera Smith Attorneys at Law
Underage drinking is a significant public health issue across the United States. Alcohol is the most popular drug among young people, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse, which poses severe threats to their health and safety.
Everyone is vulnerable to the adverse effects of underage drinking, regardless of age or alcohol use. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 12.6 million people ages 12 to 20 (33.1% in this age group) reported that they have had at least one drink in their lives.
In Florida, the legal drinking age is 21. This indicates that it is highly illegal for anybody under the age of 21 to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages.
There are numerous reasons why underage drinking occurs and why it is so prevalent, but peer pressure is a primary factor. The influence of friends and social circles can strongly encourage underage drinking. Peer pressure primarily fuels underage drinking through the strong desire to fit in and belong.
Adolescents frequently experience peer pressure to behave in a way that matches their friends. People may feel pressured to drink if they are in a buddy group where drinking is accepted or even encouraged as a way to prevent feeling “uncool” or “left out.”
Adolescents frequently worry that refusing alcohol will make them feel excluded from society. Social media platforms have intensified peer pressure in the current digital era. Teens are frequently exposed to pictures and videos of their friends drinking and having a good time, which can provide the idea that drinking is accepted and even necessary for social interaction.
The notion that drinking promotes fame, excitement and adventure is furthered by the way that alcohol is portrayed in films, TV series and songs.
Many teenagers today face immense pressure to consume alcohol despite the legal and health risks involved.
“It’s just so hard to say no when it feels like everyone expects you to join in,” a FAMU freshman said.
Parents are the primary role models for children, especially in the early years of growth. Regular alcohol consumption by parents, particularly in front of their kids, may inadvertently normalize the behavior.
Adolescents who regard drinking as a normal and acceptable aspect of life are prone to emulate what they observe at home. Teenagers who witness their parents drinking in public or using alcohol as a stress reliever may take up similar habits, believing that alcohol is a tool for stress relief or problem-solving.
Laws prohibiting underage consumption are strictly enforced in the state of Florida. These laws cover public and private spaces, although some exceptions are made for consumption in the presence of a legal guardian or religious ceremonies.
Michael Raynor, the owner of Mike’s Liquor and Beer Bar on West Tennessee Street, said, ‘We take the ID process so seriously that if you sell to a minor, you will be immediately fired on the spot. We’ve been around since 1967, and it’s a critical process.”
The legal consequences for underage consumption often include fines, mandatory counseling or alcohol education programs.