Increased alcohol references found in music
About one in three hit songs include references to alcohol or other drugs, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. A study of the top 279 songs on the Billboard charts in recent years found that 33 percent included alcohol and other drug references, including 80 percent of rap songs, 37 percent of country songs, 20 percent of R&B/hip-hop songs, 14 percent of rock songs, and 9 percent of pop songs. Rap songs typically included references to alcohol, marijuana, or nonspecific drug use, while country songs were most likely to mention alcohol use. Alcohol and other drug references were commonly associated with partying, sex, violence, and humor, researchers said. Unfortunately youth listen to about 2.5 hours of music daily.

Mixing alcohol and energy drinks causes increased injuries
College students often mix alcohol with energy drinks so that they can drink more and longer, researchers say, but the strategy can lead to more alcohol-related injuries, too. Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers found that students who mixed alcohol and energy drinks likely had double the risk of being hurt or injured, requiring medical attention, driving with an intoxicated driver, being taken advantage of sexually, or taking advantage of another sexually. A lead researcher explained, "Students whose motor skills, visual reaction times, and judgment are impaired by alcohol may not perceive that they are intoxicated as readily when they're also ingesting a stimulant.” Mixing was more prevalent among males, whites, older students, intramural athletes, and fraternity/sorority members and pledges.

Did You Know...?
Some of the most popular gifts for holiday exchange between youth this season may be drinking games aimed at college-age drinkers? They are popular with youth for purchase during the holiday season as they are thought to be fun and are usually inexpensive. Most games are variations on the venerable "beer pong."

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Many U.S. High School Seniors Report Driving While Impaired
According to a recent analysis of data from the 2001 to 2006 Monitoring the Future surveys; in 2006, two weeks prior to the survey, 30% of high school seniors reported that they had driven after using marijuana or other drugs, driven after heavy drinking (five or more drinks in a row) or rode in a car whose driver had done the same. While this is a decline from the 35% reported in 2001, most of the decline occurred between 2001 and 2003, with little change occurring in more recent years.

December National Electronic Seminar: Parental Involvement in Preventing Underage Drinking
Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Time: 3:00-4:15 p.m. eastern
Speakers: Maureen A. Sedonaen, Jane Alvarado and Teri Pectol
Alcohol is a drug. Alcohol is also the number one drug of choice for teens. Clearly, parents can play a vital and proactive role in addressing underage drinking. Too often underage drinking is discounted as a "right of passage". Parents can be effective in reducing the use of alcohol by youth under 21 by using a number of environmental strategies, such as preventing access of alcohol to youth, creating clear, consistent no-use messages, as well as partnering with local and state key stakeholders to address the issues related to underage drinking. The presenters on the call will share resources and effective strategies that can be duplicated in your community.