Children
Through Martial Arts:
* Children will learn and improve their balance and coordination.
* They will learn self-defense.
* Children will learn to set and achieve goals, whether it be to learn the material or
pass the next belt test, there is always another goal set before them.
In achieving these goals, their confidence will increase, along with their self-esteem.
* They learn the discipline needed to attain these goals.
* They learn courtesy and respect for others.
* These things that they learn in karate class will carry over into other aspects of their
lives. It will give them tools needed to succeed in life, from being
more disciplined
in the classroom to achieving lifelong goals and succeeding on the job.
Legal Consequences of Underage Drinking in Texas
Drinking and driving: Under Texas' zero tolerance law, it is unlawful for a minor to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in the minor's system.
A first offense is punishable by a fine up to $500, attendance at an alcohol awareness class, 20 to 40 hours of mandatory community service and a 60-day driver's license suspension.
A second offense is punishable by a fine up to $500, attendance at an alcohol awareness class at the judge's discretion, 40 to 60 hours of mandatory community service and a 120-day driver's license suspension.
A third offense is not eligible for deferred adjudication. The minor's driver's license is suspended for 180 days and an occupational license may not be obtained for the entire suspension period. If the minor is 17 years or older, the fine increases to $500 to $2,000, confinement in jail for up to 180 days, or both.
Minor in possession: Minors who purchase, attempt to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages, as well as minor who are publicly intoxicated or misrepresenting their age to obtain alcoholic beverages face a fine up to $500, alcohol awareness class, eight to 40 hours of community service and a loss or denial of a driver's license for 30 to 180 days. If a minor is seventeen (17) years of age or older and the violation is the third offense, the offense is punishable by a fine of $250 to $2,000, confinement in jail for up to 180 days or both, as well as automatic driver's license suspension.
Making alcohol available to a minor: The punishment for making alcoholic beverages available to a minor has been increased to a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $2,000, confinement in jail for up to 180 days, or both. Sale to a minor is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4,000, confinement up to a year in jail, or both.
The Problem:
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Almost 700,000 Texas school children use alcohol. More than half a million are considered heavy users, meaning they binge drink at least once a month.
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Alcohol is often a factor in teen automobile crashes, homicides and suicides - the three leading causes of teen deaths. In 1998, alcohol was blamed in the deaths of 640 Texans under the age of 21 - almost five times the number of young Texans killed by heroin, cocaine and all other illicit drugs combined. Adolescent drinking also is associated with risky sexual behaviors.
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One in four Texas seniors admit they have driven after having a good bit to drink. That represents almost 80,000 impaired kids on Texas roads each year.
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The economic impact of underage drinking was more than $4 billion in Texas in 1998, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
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In 1998, 1,311 Texas youth under age 18 were arrested for driving while intoxicated, 7,444 were arrested for underage drinking, and 5,971 were arrested for public drunkenness.
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More than half of Texas seniors say they have used alcohol in the past month and 26 percent report binge drinking.
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More than 10 percent of secondary students said they had attended class at least once while drunk during the past year.
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In Texas, average age for first use of beer is 12 years, and average age for first use of liquor is 13 years.
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Children who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism in adulthood than children who do not drink until the legal age of 21.
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More than 40 percent of Texas secondary students say they have obtained alcohol at parties or from friends.
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About 52 percent of college drinkers say they drink to get drunk.
Did you know that State law requires the following concerning minors and alcohol-related offenses?
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All M.I.P. (Minor in possession) and D.U.I. (Driving under the influence) conviction are reported to Dallas County.
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All persons convicted of MIP or DUI have her/his driver's license suspended.
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All persons convicted of MIP or DUI are required to complete community service.
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All persons convicted of MIP or DUI are required to complete an alcohol awareness program for minors.
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