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Prevention Action Alliance
Let NBC Hear From You on SNL's "Let Kids Drink" Skit
On May 9, millions of viewers tuned into Saturday Night Live to be
entertained and viewed a skit entitled “Let Kids Drink”. The skit, a
satirical bit that spotlights the current parenting struggles that
American parents share as a result of COVID-19, promotes family alcohol
use, across all ages, infants through adults.
As we know alcohol is the most widely used and abused substance among
youth and young adults in the United States. Excessive drinking is
responsible for more than 4,300 deaths among underage youth each year
and cost the US $249 billion in 2010. In 2013, there were approximately
119,000 emergency room visits by persons aged 12-21 for injuries and
other conditions linked to alcohol.
Children and adolescents exposed to alcohol use within their families
and communities come to see alcohol consumption as normal behavior,
with little or minimal risk and as an acceptable social practice.
However, research indicates that alcohol use during childhood and
adolescence interferes with normal brain development and increases the
risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
Youth and young adults who drink alcohol are more likely to experience:
Higher absenteeism and failing grades
Fighting and lack of participation in safe activities
Arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol
Hangovers, illnesses, dependence or addiction
Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.
Disruption of normal growth and sexual development
Physical and sexual assault
Suicide and homicide at higher rates
Alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries
Memory problems
Use and abuse of other drugs
Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects
Death from alcohol poisoning.
The consequences of alcohol use are expensive in terms of health care,
accidents, days of work lost and other social costs. The costs to
individuals, families and communities are often tragic, have life-long
impact and are no laughing matter.
It becomes a collective responsibility to prevent underage drinking.
The National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine recognizes
that portrayals of drinking in the media, via television and popular
music, are identified as potential sources through which young people
learn about alcohol and influences young people’s drinking and drinking
problems.
Alcohol poses different challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the
country turns to social distancing to reduce exposure to the COVID-19
virus, people may drink, and drink more heavily to cope with stress,
boredom, isolation, and anxiety. It is important that illustrations of
positive coping strategies be highlighted by the media and modeled by
adults.
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