A letter from the Governor Alcohol consumption is the number-one substance abuse problem among youth in Arizona. Children statewide are experimenting with alcohol at very young ages, resulting in severe mental and physical harms and an elevated risk of addiction to other illegal substances. Alcohol abuse is a serious threat to the health and safety of our youth and it’s time we take the steps necessary to reduce its impact.

Adults often dismiss underage drinking as a rite of passage that they experienced themselves with no serious consequences. However, it has been revealed that the human brain is not fully developed until the mid twenties. Research shows that underage alcohol consumption can permanently damage the memory and learning areas of the developing brain, can increase the risk of alcohol addiction and can cause irreversible damage to the impulse control and judgment areas of the brain.

Ending underage drinking in Arizona is an enormous undertaking, but we must make it a priority. We must educate ourselves and our children about the risks associated with alcohol, and look for ways to tackle this problem in our communities.

I encourage you to explore the resources available on this Web site and to become involved with the Draw the Line campaign. By staying informed and taking an active role in the lives of the youth around you, you can help reduce the devastating impact of underage drinking.

It’s time for Arizonans to take a stand against underage drinking and to protect our youth. It’s time to Draw the Line.

--Governor Janet Napolitano, Phoenix