GET THE FACTS
Underage drinking on its own is a terrible act teens commit on the daily. This problem is further exacerbated when these drunk teens operate motor vehicles on the road, thus putting everyone in danger including themselves. The following information is a list of ten facts that are sure to shock teens and parents who aren't already aware of the problem of underage drinking.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Alcohol is the most frequently used drug among American youth. Approximately 77% of all high school seniors have had an alcoholic drink. 1
- In 2003, 94% of all high school seniors report that it is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to get alcohol. 1
- In 2002, over 6000 people died due to underage drinking related causes (car crashes, homicides, suicides, fires and drowning, etc) 1
- In 2004, 24% of all fatal car crashes among 15-20 year olds were alcohol related. 1
- People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until age 21. Each additional year of delayed drinking onset reduces the probability of alcohol dependence by 14 percent. 1
- From 2001-2003, youth were 96 times more likely to see an ad promoting alcohol than an ad promoting responsible drinking. 1
- Underage drinking costs our society 61.9 billion dollars a year in medical costs, lost days of work, pain and suffering. etc. 1
- Approximately 900 lives are saved each year because of the 21 minimum drinking age law. 1
- Three teens are killed each day when they drink alcohol and drive. At least six more die every day from other alcohol-related causes. 2
- In the year 2000, only 7% of licensed drivers were ages 15 to 20. However, in that same year, they represented approximately 13% of drivers who had been drinking and were involved in fatal crashes. 2
- About two fifths of students (41%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by 8th grade. (3)
- More than half (58%) of 12th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life. One fifth (20%) of 8th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life. (3)
- For young drivers (15-20 years old), alcohol involvement is higher among males than among females. In 2005, 24% of the young male drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking at the time of the crash, compared with 12% of the young female drivers involved in fatal crashes. (3)
- It is estimated that 24,560 lives have been saved by minimum drinking age laws since 1975. (3)
- Young adults ages 18-22 enrolled full-time in college were more likely than their peers not enrolled full time to use alcohol in the past month, to binge drink, and to drink heavily. (3)
- In 2005, 85.6% of youths ages 12-17 reported that they strongly or somewhat disapprove of peers having one or two drinks of an alcoholic beverage nearly every day. (3)