Risky sex, teen pregnancy, sexual assault�these are a few of the hard-hitting consequences when teens abuse alcohol and drugs. Now, for the first time ever, a national conference, titled �Dangerous Liaisons,� will explore the relationship between teen substance abuse and sexual behavior.
What are some of the sexual health consequences for teen alcohol and drug users? For one, teens who use alcohol and drugs are more likely to have had sex�and at younger ages, with more partners�than teens who don't use alcohol or drugs. In fact, teens who drink are seven times more likely to have sex than teens who don�t; and teens who do drugs are five times more likely to have sex.
All individuals who abuse alcohol and drugs have higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. And alcohol is a frequent factor in date-rape cases, according to conference organizers, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
�Dangerous Liaisons� takes place on February 7 in New York City. It features a teen panel with Kirsten Schmitt, 18, a member of the current SEX, ETC. Editorial Board. You can check out a Webcast of the conference here, starting Friday, February 8 at 9 a.m.
Editors' Note: Do you have a problem with drugs or alcohol? Call the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service at (800) 662-HELP (4357). Or check out drughelp.org.
