Underage Drinking


            While far too many adults and parents shrug off drinking as a rite of passage for teens, studies show that
            underage drinking is now reaching epidemic levels, with devastating and lingering consequences for young
            people, their families and their communities. Here are the facts:

                  • 12- to 20-year-olds drink 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States.

                  • In 2005, there were more than 145,000 emergency rooms visits by youth ages 12 to 20 for injuries and
                    other conditions linked to alcohol.

            The 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students:

• 45% drank some amount of alcohol.

• 26% binge drank.

• 11% drove after drinking alcohol.

• 29% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.




            National Surveys

                  • In 2006, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 28% of youth aged 12 to 20 years drank
                    alcohol, and 19% reported binge drinking.

                  • In 2007, 39% of 8th graders and 72% of 12th graders had tried alcohol, and 16% of 8th graders and 44% of
                    12th graders drank during the past month.

            Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience:

                  • Social problems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades.

                  • Social problems, such as fighting and lack of participation in youth activities.

                  • Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk.

                  • Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.

                  • Unwanted, unplanned and unprotected sexual activity.

                  • Disruption of normal growth and sexual development.

                  • Physical and sexual assault.

                  • Higher risk for suicide and homicide.

                  • Alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries,
                    such as burns, falls and drowning.

                  • Memory problems.

                  • Abuse of other drugs.

                  • Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.

                  • Death from alcohol poisoning.



            Source:
            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention