ULTIMATE HANGOVER

MAT-SU — Drinking cocktails, beer or wine may be fun for some, but those who choose this kind of fun before the legal drinking age face a keg of consequences.

In the Mat-Su Valley, underage drinking can earn those who prematurely imbibe many penalties that range from the legal system to health problems. Some may be arrested, others may suffer developmental disorders. But whether it’s jail time or health care visits, local experts say underage drinking can lead to a lifetime of challenges.

Some local kids may not consider the consequences while others understand drinking is a social and legal issue that needs attention in the Mat-Su Valley.

Katie Wieliczkiewicz, student body president at Wasilla High School, is one who believes the latter.

“I do think it’s a big problem in the Valley,” Wieliczkiewicz said about teens and children consuming alcohol. “I think part of it is because everybody thinks it’s part of high school life, but it’s really not.”

Wieliczkiewicz said she knows some students think it’s cool to go to parties and get wasted, but she doesn’t think it’s an overwhelming majority of Valley students.

At Wasilla High School, there are few classes that inform students about drinking. The issue is addressed in health class, but more personal issues are discussed in a class called Human Relations. In that class, guest speakers share real-life experiences that often start with drinking and end in tragedy.

Although it may be disturbing to hear about losing a friend to alcohol, Wieliczkiewicz said direct contact with those impacted by alcohol helps teens who often feel invincible understand the possible consequences. In fact, she believes that a “hands off alcohol, but hands on learning” approach is beneficial.

When it comes to the legal consequences of underage drinking, Magistrate David Zwink said there are many factors that determine what can happen, but the system has an overall purpose of using penalties to help offenders as well as punish their unlawful behavior.

“The whole purpose is to get them to wise up, make better choices and not drink,” Zwink said.

According to Alaska law pertaining to the possession, control or consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21, there are several legal consequences for what is commonly referred to as minor in consumption of alcohol (MCA).

A first-time offender could receive fine of at least $200, but no more than $600. The offender may also receive probation, which includes the involvement of a community diversion panel or youth court. The panel then decides conditions of probation, which typically include community service, counseling, treatment and education.

For a repeat offender, the legal consequences increase after each conviction. A repeat offender may receive a $1,000 fine and 48 hours of community service. The minor could also lose his or her driver license for 3 months.

When a minor is tagged with more than two MCAs, consequences are even more severe. If a person receives more than two MCAs, the state considers the offender a habitual minor consuming — a class B misdemeanor. This misdemeanor will amount to at least 96 hours of community service, a six-month license revocation and probation.

Zwink said he handles MCA arraignments every Thursday in his Palmer courtroom, and he usually has one or two repeat offenders. Habitual offenders are somewhat rare. This year, the youngest person he has dealt with for underage drinking was 12 years old.

A lifetime of health

consequences

Jim Holen, a counselor with Mat-Su Health Services, said one of the largest health consequences related to underage drinking is a lack brain development. From the ages of 10 to 17, a youth’s brain is “half baked,” he said — still lacking decision-making skills and the ability to fully understand consequences. When alcohol is added to the equation, problems can arise almost immediately and can be felt for a long time.

“If you’re adding a chemical like alcohol, it generally doesn’t have a good outcome,” Holen said.

Holen said more immediate consequences usually relate to the decision-making process. For example, a teen may think it’s OK to hop in a car and drive after drinking or think participating in risky sexual behavior is no big deal. Some adults also make these rationalizations while under the influence of alcohol.

When it comes to the long-term health consequences of underage drinking, Holen said there are many.

“Kids that start drinking at an early age, research says they are more likely to have alcohol dependencies or substance abuse disorders,” Holen said.

With alcohol dependencies come a whole list of other health issues like poor nutrition, liver diseases and heart problems, he said. The key to battling underage drinking is prevention, which starts at home. Parents need to take an active role, he said.

“I think the No. 1 prevention factor is for parents to be very closely engaged on a daily basis,” he said. “Research shows parents are the anti-drug.”

Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series on underage drinking in the Mat-Su Valley. Next Sunday, reporter Chris Gillow will examine options for how to recognize if your child is drinking and options for halting the behavior before it starts.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.