Under age drinking

Underage Drinking
* In 2005, about 10.8 million persons ages 12-20 (28.2% of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Nearly 7.2 million (18.8%) were binge drinkers, and2.3 million (6.0%) were heavy drinkers.
2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
* Three out of every four students (75%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by theend of high school.
2005 Monitoring the Future
* The rate of current alcohol use among youths ages 12-17 declined from 17.6% in 2004 to 16.5% in 2005. Youth binge drinking also declined duringthat period, from 11.1% to 9.9%
2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
* In 2005, more males than females ages 12-20 reported current alcohol use (28.9% vs. 27.5%), binge drinking(21.3% vs. 16.1%), and heavy drinking (7.6% vs. 4.3%).
2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
* Young adults ages 18-22 enrolled full-time in college were more likely than theirpeers not enrolled full time to use alcohol in the past month, to binge drink, and to drink heavily.
2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
* About two fifths of students (41%)have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by 8th grade.
2005 Monitoring the Future
* 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.
2005 Monitoring the Future
* Adults age 21 or older who had first used alcohol before age 21 were more likely thanadults who had their first drink at age 21 or older to be classified with alcohol dependence or abuse (9.6% vs. 2.1%).
2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health
* In 2005, 85.6% ofyouths ages 12-17 reported that they strongly or somewhat disapprove of peers having one or two drinks of an alcoholic beverage nearly every day.
2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health