Spend Thanksgiving With Your Family: Not in the Emergency Room

The night before Thanksgiving, known as Blackout Wednesday, has become a concerning tradition marked by excessive drinking among young people, particularly college students returning home for the holiday. Unfortunately, it is also one of the deadliest nights of the year for drunk driving and alcohol-related emergencies.
Underage drinking remains a major public health issue. In 2023, excessive alcohol use caused 3,900 deaths among people under 21, with males accounting for 75% of those fatalities. Local surveys show alcohol remains the most widely used substance among Scarsdale youth, and binge drinking—five or more standard drinks—accounts for 90% of youth alcohol consumption.

This Thanksgiving, the Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service and the Scarsdale Action for Youth (SAY) Coalition urge parents to discuss the risks of underage drinking with their teens and college-aged children. Conversations should address health and legal consequences, including the dangers of alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, and the use of fake IDs.

Together, we can help ensure Thanksgiving is celebrated safely—around the family table, not in the emergency room. For more information, contact Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service, Scarsdale Action for Youth, or local Youth Outreach Workers.