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Underage Drinking
"The Sheriff’s Office is committed to working with
allied police agencies, governmental agencies, schools,
and communities to combat underage drinking through
educational programs and enforcement activities. This
collaborative effort is focused on reducing incidents
and accidents involving alcohol consumption by minors.”
– Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron
Laws and Consequences
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Possession of
Alcohol Under 18: Civil Citation and referral to
the Department of Juvenile Justice.
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Possession of
Alcohol 18 to 21: Civil Citation and a possible
$500.00 fine.
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Furnishing
Alcohol to Someone Under 21: Civil Citation and
a fine of $2,500.00 for first offense and
$5,000.00 for the second offense.
Why Report Underage Drinking?
Alcohol use is associated with many adolescent risk
behaviors, including other drug use and delinquency,
weapon carrying and fighting, and perpetrating or being
the victim of date rape.
Nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading
cause of death among youth ages 15 to 20, and the rate
of fatal crashes among alcohol-involved drivers between
16-20 years of age is more than twice that of
alcohol-involved drivers 21 and older. Young drivers
represent 17% of alcohol-involved crashes in St. Mary’s
County.
Possible Consequences of Underage Drinking
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Adult
alcoholism
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Brain damage
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Loss of
driving privileges
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Poor school
performance or failure to complete high school
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Risky decision
making (e.g. riding with an intoxicated driver)
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Suicide
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Unplanned
pregnancy
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Violence
Alcohol is a depressant. It decreases the heart rate,
reduces reaction time, slurs speech, and reduces body
temperature. Most important, alcohol is a drug, and
drinking alcohol in large quantities can result in
alcohol poisoning. If a person passes out or vomits, get
help. Call 911. Never leave him or her to “sleep it
off.”
How to Report Underage Drinking:
Practice Safe Decision Making
For More Information
Poster Contest Winners from Area High Schools
Click on thumbnails for full-sized
images
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Jennifer Wood
Chopticon High School
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Karmyn Pittman
Chopticon High School
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Miranda Gehris
Chopticon High School
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Natalie Everson
Chopticon High School
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Alex Keane
Great Mills High School
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Brandon Aksteter
Great Mills High School
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Hillarie Dittami
Great Mills High School
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Lindsay Lague
Great Mills High School
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Danielle Jones
Leonardtown High School
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Jacqueline Wojcik
Leonardtown High School
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Jessica Lynch
Leonardtown High School
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Moyokun Ojo
Leonardtown High School
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Lindsay Pitt
Forrest Tech Center
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Melinda Isemann
Forrest Tech Center
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Serena Sprinkle
Forrest Tech Center
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