Alcohol: What You Don't Know
In "Alcohol: What You Don't Know," In the Mix
hosts Tamah and Duane, who are of legal drinking age, submit themselves to an experiment.
As they have just a few drinks throughout the show, we see how their motor skills and
judgement are affected. One of Nassau County's physician consultants lays down the facts
about what you drink, how quickly it will hit you, and debunks popular myths about how
to "sober up." [Current stats about teen drinking]
In the Mix reporter Eddie visits with teens in a treatment program for recovering
alcoholics. They give us the honest truth about why they started drinking and how
quickly it can get out of control, then leave us with valuable tips on how to
recognize and reach out to someone who's an alcoholic. [Get and give advice] Eddie also checks out one
high school's unique approach to curbing teenage drinking – a peer education program
where seniors, not teachers, show younger students the truth about drinking.
[Express your point-of-view on the issue]
As Tamah and Duane continue to imbibe, a doctor points out that their speech is
slurred and their coordination is deteriorating. Teens who experienced alcohol
poisoning after binge drinking talk about their brushes with death, while we hear
tragic stories about young people who weren't so lucky. A medical expert explains
what happens to your body when you give it excessive amounts of alcohol in a short
period of time (hint: it doesn't like it). [More advice from the expert]
Duane takes (and fails) a police sobriety test, while Tamah gets behind the wheel
to discover how much her driving ability is impaired. Later, Tamah finds out what
happens at a DWI checkpoint, and what the law has in store for people convicted of drinking and
driving. We also hear from young people who paid an even higher price than jail time – they're
permanently disabled from drunk driving accidents.
[Cast your vote about buying alcohol when you're underage]
What you don't know about alcohol CAN hurt you, so In the Mix wants to give you
the facts and introduce you to people who made bad choices – so you can learn from
their mistakes. [Great resources] [Get help 24/7]
"Alcohol: What You Don't Know" is regularly re-broadcast on PBS affiliates across
the country. Please check our schedule and
station list for airtimes.
Related In the Mix episodes: