Alcoholism within Ontario

Ontario is a massive province and there are quite a few different alcohol problems happening within it. The alcohol dependencies and addictions commonly occur within those individuals aged above thirty years; however, the problems stem from the teenage years and population of Ontario.

General Situation

As previously mentioned, the problem associated within Ontario is the teenagers whom are consuming alcohol. These high numbers and rates transfer into the adult years and with so many huge cities like Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario must enforce new precautionary measures.

New laws must be regulated that prevent drinking and driving. Appropriate education must also be introduced to ensure teenagers know and understand how to drink alcohol in a responsible manner. If these are not implemented soon, numbers and problems will rise.

Teenage Alcohol Problems

Over six-hundred thousand teenage individuals consume alcohol on a regular basis within Ontario. This number is extremely alarming, as it shows that alcohol is more accessible to those who are not responsible enough to consume it yet. Furthermore, at least ten percent of the teenage population drinks weekly.

These numbers are a huge cause for concern. It demonstrates that inadequate knowledge is being perceived by the general teenage population. They do not care about the effects alcohol can have on their body, or other people. Unfortunately, this analysis is only supported with a Grade Twelve hazardous drinking percent of thirty. That means that around three-hundred thousand teenagers participate in dangerous drinking activities such as binge drinking or heavily drinking each week. This can not only lead to severe addictions and dependencies later in life, but it can also cause alcohol poisoning, lack of judgment, or even fatality as they choke on their own alcohol vomit.

Moreover, many teenagers start consuming alcohol before they even enter high school within Ontario. The general teenage population begins drinking in Grade Seven. This is an extremely terrible scenario, as the problems and issues associated throughout this Grade will continue with them into high school. It is also interesting to note that at least two percent of those teenagers whom are in Grade Seven experience alcohol problems such as binge drinking.

While Ontario has many preventative measures enforced, alcohol is still too easy to access for minors. Proper education needs to be introduced with vivid imagery if the teenage population is to realize and acknowledge what effects alcohol can have on your body. Teenagers do not listen to lectures these days, and images will often turn their stomach and force them to remember

Driving While Impaired

Due to the teenage population not having appropriate education when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is quite a bit of alcohol related car crashes within Ontario. Approximately one third of all car crashes within Ontario are a result of drunk driving each year. Organizations such as MADD certainly try to help this situation, but teenagers know they will not get caught.

There are many new laws and enforcements that Ontario has introduced to its citizens to lower the amount of impaired driving accidents. For example, Ontario has created a set of rules and guidelines where if a person is caught with an alcohol level over 0.05, their license will be suspended for three days. If they are caught again, it will be suspended for seven days. If they are caught a third time, their license will be suspended for a full thirty days and must pass a course. These are excellent precautionary measures to enforce; however, in order for them to work efficiently Ontario must provide their authorities with the tools, money, and aid they need to effectively catch people.

Proper education also needs to be enforced in Ontario. Although there are educational programs provided that cover drunk driving, it is imperative that these programs focus on teaching teenagers the importance of responsible drinking, and what can happen when one chooses to drink and drive. The programs much teach teenagers with graphics and vivid imagery in order to ensure the message is implanted within their mind.

Treating Alcoholic Addictions

Ontario has some of the best alcohol treatment facilities in Canada. They are readily available within large cities such as Toronto. Unfortunately, other cities that are smaller in size or were not expecting a sudden outbreak of alcohol related issues do not have the proper treatment facilities available and you may need to travel to other cities to find appropriate treatment for alcohol in Ontario or have your name on a waiting list.