Drug or Alcohol ...of Teens

Lookbook Vol. 2

DEFINITION

The percent of sexually active females who drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse reported in 2019.34

16.8 percent

18.6 percent

Drug or Alcohol Facilitated Sex of Teens

OKLAHOMA

Data Highlight:

NATIONAL AVERAGE In 2016, House Bill 2398 passed the Oklahoma State Legislature. This bill better defined that necessary consent for a sexual act requires affirmative, unambiguous and voluntary consent that may not be possible to obtain when a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.35 As of January 2021, consent education is not mandatory in Oklahoma public schools.

Why We Care:

The use of drugs and alcohol before sexual activity often results in unsafe sex practices, where individuals are less likely to use condoms or other protections to prevent unintended pregnancy.27 Individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not always able to make fully lucid decisions and are often too intoxicated to affirmatively, unambiguously and voluntarily consent to sex.35 For this reason, drug or alcohol facilitated sex can increase the risk of unwanted sexual contact for all individuals. Women from all identities and backgrounds are more likely to experience unwanted sexual contact than men, and low-income women are especially vulnerable.27,35

What We Can Do:

- Support existing evidence-based prevention programs which educate on consent, healthy relationship, and the effects of drugs and alcohol on decision making - Advocate for comprehensive, inclusive, scientific, and evidence-based health education in all Oklahoma schools, including consent curriculum - Restrain skepticism and judgment, as individuals, when others come forward with accounts of sexual harassment, assault, or rape

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