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alcohol in your child's room or backpack, or smelling alcohol on his or her breath
Physical or mental problems: memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech
Alcohol is a depressant- it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision and hearing.

In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. If alcohol is consumed in larger amounts it can cause changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication. People who have overused alcohol may stagger, lose their coordination, and slur their speech. They will probably be confused and disoriented. Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry. Reaction times are slowed dramatically- which is why people are told not to drink and drive. People who are intoxicated may think they're moving properly when they're not. They may act completely out of character.
When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can occur. Alcohol poisoning happens when the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning, as the body tries to cleanse itself of alcohol. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may result (Alcoholism).
At the federal and state government levels, new laws have been passed to enforce stiffer penalties for underage drinking offenses and drunken driving accidents involving teens. Local law enforcement officers in many communities have also supported prevention efforts by cracking down on establishments that sell alcohol to minors.
Prevention should begin at home and through schools and community based programs that urge parents to talk to their teens about drinking. Numerous resources have been made available to parents to help them teach teens abstinence, or to help parents model sensible drinking. In the schools, teens receive more information about the effects of drinking and alcohol abuse than ever before. Many schools even sponsor special alcohol-free events, such as dances and parties, to help teens have fun without the crutch of alcohol.
Sting operations work to prevent teen drinking and drunk driving through state and federal legislation, local police departments

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