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A Brief Look at Underage Drinking
Alcohol use by persons under age 21 is a major public health problem. Consider these facts:
- Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs.
- Young people ages 12 to 20 drink almost 20% of all alcohol consumed in the United States.
- Youth who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life than those who begin drinking at or after age 21.
- School problems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades.
- Social problems, such as fighting and lack of participation in youth activities.
- 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 crash 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.
National Institue on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAAA) Hosts Videoconference on Adolescent Development and Alcohol
NIAAA's website now serves as the portal for viewing a videoconference conducted by NIAAA on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 on the adolescent development and alcohol use. Presenters were two of NIAAA's experts on underage drinking research: Dr. Vivian Faden, Deputy Director of NIAAA's Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, and Dr. Patricia Powell, Chief of NIAAA's Scientific Policy Branch. Drs Faden and Powell provided statistics, neuroscience, growth and development, influence of peers and parents, cultural and behavioral milestones in adolescence, and societal influences, among other issues. To view the videoconference, click here