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Youth Cannabis Use

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Youth Tobacco Use

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Youth Vape Use

No Tricks, Only Truths.

According to a Babylon Cares youth survey, in Lindenhurst, youth cannabis use has decreased by 18% and tobacco use by 61% over the past decade, reflecting positive trends in health awareness. However, there has been a concerning 38% increase in youth vaping, raising new health concerns due to the unknown long-term effects. While the reduction in cannabis and tobacco use is promising, the rise in vaping highlights the need for continued education and stricter regulations to protect youth health in the community.

The most recent statistics reveal that between 2017 and 2021, a total of 159 people tragically lost their lives in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night. These figures highlight the ongoing risks associated with impaired driving during this holiday, underscoring the importance of increased awareness and safety efforts to prevent such fatalities.

In 2021, 38 people were killed on Halloween night in drunk-driving crashes, marking a decrease from the previous year when 58 fatalities were recorded on Halloween night in 2020. While the reduction is a positive sign, these numbers still show the persistent dangers of impaired driving during this holiday, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and prevention efforts.

Adults aged 21 to 34 accounted for the highest percentage (55%) of drunk drivers, with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 g/dL. This age group remains a significant concern when it comes to impaired driving. In 2021, a total of 13,384 people lost their lives in crashes involving drunk drivers. This stark figure highlights the ongoing need for targeted interventions and education to reduce alcohol-impaired driving, particularly among young adults.

About one-third of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) at or above 0.08 g/dL. In 2021 alone, 13,384 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Despite laws and public awareness efforts, drunk driving remains a leading cause of preventable deaths on the road, highlighting the urgent need for continued education, enforcement, and safer choices behind the wheel.

In 2021, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was 2.8 times higher at night compared to during the day. This significant increase in impaired driving at night highlights the heightened dangers on the road after dark, when visibility is reduced and many drivers may be more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as driving under the influence. This statistic emphasizes the need for greater caution and heightened awareness, particularly during nighttime hours, to prevent alcohol-related crashes and save lives.

Despite laws prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, drunk driving continues to claim lives at an alarming rate. In 2021, someone was killed in an alcohol-related crash every 39 minutes on roads across the United States. This tragic statistic underscores the ongoing danger posed by impaired driving, which not only breaks the law but also shatters lives and families. The frequency of these fatalities highlights the urgent need for stronger prevention efforts, increased public awareness, and a collective commitment to making safer choices to protect everyone on the road.

It’s important to remember that drinking and driving is never acceptable, no matter how much you’ve had to drink. Even after consuming just one alcoholic beverage, your ability to drive can be impaired. Always make a plan to get home safely – whether by designating a sober driver, using public transportation or relying on a ride-sharing service. Taking these precautions ensures you and others stay safe on the road and helps prevent the devastating consequences of impaired driving.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (2023).

Treat Yourself Right

Prevention efforts are key to transforming communities like Lindenhurst and other villages and hamlets within the Town of Babylon. By taking proactive measures, we can begin to shift the statistics and make significant strides in reducing impaired driving and other dangers on the road. These efforts are not just about protecting drivers, but about creating a safer environment for children and families, ensuring that Babylon becomes a place where kids can grow up without the threat of preventable accidents and tragedies.

The Lindy community sends a special thank you to the students from the Lindy Middle School in Mrs. Carton, Mr. Flohr, Mrs. Fanelli, Ms. Rago, and Mrs. Carroll’s classes for their contribution to this community service project supporting Trick or Trunk and Safe Halloween!