Binge drinking's a danger for teens

Several recent alcohol-related teen deaths remind us that one of the great temptations of youth is the lure of alcohol. Observational learning is a means of identifying with those you respect. Youth see their parents drinking and often see a positive experience. Why wouldn't they want to try?

The trouble comes with the dangerous trend of binge drinking - drinks consumed in rapid succession. Rapid consumption of alcohol prevents absorption, which can lead to a toxic reaction causing difficulties with breathing, nausea, fainting, even seizures and comas. Binge drinking can lead to individuals passing out and choking to death on their own vomit. There's also the risk of later alcohol dependence along with a decrease in academic performance.

Adolescence is like the spring, a transition between winter and summer, childhood and adulthood. And like the spring, it can be dramatic and unpredictable; sunny and warm one day, snowy and icy the next.

There's no easy solution, but clearly this potentially lethal challenge to getting through adolescence demands attention by parents, educators and teens themselves.

Larry P. Weiss

Bay Shore

Editor's note: The writer is the senior vice president for programs for the Family Service League, a nonprofit organization.