In 2008, a viral video of Australian 16-year-old Corey Worthington showed the world what happened when he threw a party at his parents' house that attracted 500 teens-and the local cops' air wing and dog squad.
When a newscaster covering the riotous event asked him what he would say to other kids thinking of hosting parties, he replied, "Get me to do it for you." Well, seven years later, in another interview, we were glad to see he was willing to admit that back then, he was a "little brat."
Now, if teens can just learn that there's more at stake than furious parents when they drink and drink and drink. Every year, an average of more than 4,300 kids in the United States under age 21 die from alcohol-related events. Those who indulge and survive, well, evidence shows that teen drinking can impair memory, decision making, executive function and emotional regulation. It also raises the risk of committing or being a victim of physical or sexual assault, suicide and later alcoholism and drug addiction.
Add to that the findings of a new study of 650 men: Those who had had an average of seven drinks a week between ages 15 and 19 were over three times more likely to develop high-grade prostate cancer. So talk to your teen boys about the dangers of alcohol-including prostate cancer. (For girls, the warnings include breast cancer.)
While you're at it, make sure your teens know you're a safe person to talk to about peer pressure and other drinking-related concerns.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit sharecare.com.
(c) 2018 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.