Drinking has become a popular social activity for many local teens. In fact, the amount of teen alcohol use in Taylor County is more than twice the national average.
The Abilene Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has conducted the first-ever countywide study of high school alcohol abuse in Taylor County, and the numbers may surprise you. According to the ARCADA, 26% is the national average of students who have been intoxicated by alcohol. The study found that 65% of teens in Taylor County have been intoxicated by alcohol. The study also found that 44% of local teens drink more than once a week.
The study found that many local parents host teen alcohol parties to prevent drinking and driving, but ARCADA says they are actually doing more damage, as alcohol has negative effects on brain development in adolescents.
The ARCADA study was conducted at four school districts throughout Taylor County.
