Alcohol
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and contains ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Ethanol is the intoxicating ingredient in beer, wine and lliquor, and is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars and starches. Some slang terms you might hear for alcohol are booze, brew, juice or sauce.
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National data shows that Vermonters in all age groups – youth (12-17), young adults (18-25), and adults (26+) drink more alcohol compared to the country overall. People who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at 21. Vermont also has higher than national rates of binge drinking, which is associated with greater risk of alcohol dependence.
Health Policy Clearinghouse
The Prevention Center of Excellence (formerly Prevention Network Grant) and the Green Peak Alliance developed the Health Policy Clearinghouse – an online, searchable database for model prevention and health policies as well as other resources. The site was developed by Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC).
Alcohol Policy in the News
Vermont Resources
- Vermont Department of Health, Youth Risk Behavior Survey
- ParentUp VT: Tools and Tips for ParentsParent Up Vermont helps you talk with your children early and often, no matter how awkward the conversation. Get tips for how to start and continue these conversations.
- VT Help Link: Free and confidential alcohol and drug support and referral services, call 802-565-LINK (5465). VT Helplink is a statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Vermont.
National Resources
This guide is written for individuals, and their family and friends, who are looking for options to address alcohol problems. It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them.
Check Your Drinking. Make a Plan to Drink Less.
Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful. Everyone can benefit from drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all. This tool, provided by the CDC, checks your drinking and can give advice. If you want to drink less, it can also help you build a plan to make healthier choices.
Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain (AlcoholFX) is a free, science-based app that teaches students ages 10 to 12 how alcohol can harm their brains if they drink. Based on lesson plans from SAMHSA’s Reach Out Now Initiative, the app can easily integrate with instruction in 5th- and 6th-grade classrooms.
Talk. They Hear You. Mobile App (And other resources)
“Talk. They Hear You.” is a free mobile app that helps you prepare for one of the most important conversations you may ever have with your children about underage drinking. The app provides parents and caregivers of children and teens ages 9 to 15 with the tools and information they need to start talking with their children early about the dangers of alcohol. It includes a suite of materials that helps reinforce the underage drinking prevention campaign’s messages.
- False Identification for Obtaining Alcohol
- Furnishing Alcohol to Minors
- Minimum Ages for Off-Premises Sellers
- Minimum Ages for On-Premises Servers and Bartenders
- Possession/Consumption/
Internal Possession of Alcohol - Prohibitions Against Hosting Underage Drinking Parties
- Underage Purchase of Alcohol
- Use/Lose: Driving Privileges
- Keg Registration
- Youth (Underage Operators of Noncommercial Motor Vehicles)
