Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States.

Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among America’s youth.  The various consequences of underage drinking can affect everyone – regardless of age or drinking status.  We all feel the effects of the aggressive behavior, property damage, injuries, violence, and deaths that can result from underage drinking.  This is not simply a problem for some families – it is a nationwide concern.

 (Source:  https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/special-populations-co-occurring-disorders/underage-drinking)

More than half of American teenagers (approximately 65%) have tried drinking at least once before reaching the proper age.

When teens engage in drinking behavior, approximately 90% of the alcohol is consumed during a binge drinking episode.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that over 4,000 teens die each year due to underage drinking.

 (Source:  https://www.rightstep.com/teen-drinking/5-surprising-facts-about-underage-drinking)

For more information, visit:

 www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm

www.ncadd.org/images/stories/PDF/UnderageDrinkingFactSheetNCADD-3-12.pdf

www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking-topic