Texas courts find that many teens continue consuming alcohol even after law enforcement intervenes

Officials from the Texas District and County Attorneys Association say that being caught by the law for underage drinking does not dissuade some teens from consuming alcohol again, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Officials told the news source that binge drinking, which is consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in a short period of time, is common among individuals between ages 17 and 20. The goal of this behavior is to become intoxicated as quickly as possible. However, this could lead to other harmful behaviors such as drug use, unprotected sex and drunk driving.

One Dallas defense attorney added that most children he provides legal counsel to have multiple tickets for driving while intoxicated (DWI). Statistics show that nearly 30 percent of individuals between ages 17 and 20 in Dallas County who were found guilty of a DWI have committed at least one other offense.

The courts are starting to offer assistance to teens and young adults who regularly exhibit these behaviors by offering, education, treatment and monitoring. Technological devices such as ignition interlock and alcohol intake bracelets are being used to oversee any suspicious activity concerning the substance.

According to the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, approximately 24 percent of high school students have consumed five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting in the 30 days prior to the study.