What brain research tells us about underage drinking

In March, the Preventing Underage Drinking series sponsored by the federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) will host the second webinar about underage drinking.

Webinar #2:  Brain Research and Underage Screening – Getting Informed, Preparing to Act

When: March 7, 2013, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Who: The following experts will present:

• Kenneth R. Warren, Ph.D., Acting Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 
• Aaron White, Ph.D., Program Director, College and Underage Drinking Prevention Research, NIAAA; and 
• Vivian B. Faden, Ph.D., Director, Office of Science Policy and Communications, NIAAA.

Why: Nearly 10 million 12- to 20-year-olds in the United States are underage drinkers, with serious negative consequences for individuals, families, and communities. This webinar series features national leaders and experts discussing the extent and nature of the problem, lessons from recent research, and evidence-based strategies for addressing underage drinking.

What:

• Dr. Kenneth Warren will provide a brief introduction to the problem of underage drinking, briefly summarizing some of the information from the first webinar. 
• Next, Dr. Aaron White will discuss alcohol’s effects on the developing brain, and present information on the prevalence and biology of blackouts and alcohol poisoning. 
• And to round out the presentations, Dr. Vivian Faden will discuss the contextual factors surrounding youth drinking and the importance of screening youth for alcohol use, risk for use, and alcohol related problems. 

Where: For more information and to register, visit http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/meetings-events-exhibits/iccpud-webinar.