Underage drinking statistics

While reviewing underage drinking statistics a person will get a sense at just how big the problem of underage drinking really is. In 2005 alone around 10.8 million young adults between the ages of 12 and 20 were reported to be drinking alcohol within a month’s time. Almost 7.2 million of those people were binge drinkers, and 2.3 million were heavy drinkers. That is a scary statistic.

Underage drinking statics have shown that approximately three out of every four students have consumed alcohol by the time they graduate high school. The current rate of underage drinking among young people between the ages of 12 and 17 had declined from 17.6% in 2004 to 16.5% in 2005. Binge drinking among young people also declined during that same period of time from 11.1% to 9.9%.

More males than females between the ages of 12 and 20 reported using alcohol, binge drinking, and heavy drinking. Underage drinking statistics for young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 who were enrolled in college full time has shown that they were more likely than their peers who weren’t enrolled full time to use alcohol, binge drink, or drink heavily.

Approximately 41% of students have drunk alcohol by the time they reach the eighth grade, and 20% of eighth graders have reported being drunk at least one time in their life. Underage drinking statistics have shown that 58% of twelfth graders have reported being drunk at least one time in their life. Underage drinking statistics also show that 11% of eighth graders, 22% of tenth graders, and 29% of twelfth graders had participated in heavy or binge drinking within two weeks time. Approximately 9.6% of adult 21 and older who took their first drink of alcohol before age 21 were more likely than adults who took their first drink at age 21 or older to be classified with alcohol abuse or dependence.

In 2005, 85.6% of young adults between the ages of 12 and 17 reported that they disapproved of their peers drinking even one drink of an alcoholic beverage almost every day.

It is terrifying to think that almost five thousand young people under the age of 21 die every year due to underage drinking. All of the underage drinking statistics show just how much people need to work together to put a stop to underage drinking. Talking to today’s youth should start at home with the parents. Despite what kids would have their parents believe, they do listen.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 September 2008 16:56 )

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