Statistics
In 2007, 18.6 million persons aged 12 or older were classified with dependence on or abuse of alcohol. This represents 7.5 percent of the population. The number and the percentage have remained similar since 2002.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf
Youth, between the ages of 12-20, exposure to alcohol advertising on television has risen by 38% from 2001 to 2007. Almost all of these placements were on cable television, where distilled spirits companies in particular have dramatically increased their alcohol advertising in the past seven years.
up>[ref.]
Combined data from 2002 to 2006 indicated that an annual average of 9.4 percent of persons aged 12 to 20 (3.5 million persons in that age range) met the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder (dependence or abuse) in the past year.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
Pemberton, M. R., Colliver, J. D., Robbins, T. M., & Gfroerer, J. C. (2008). Underage alcohol use:
Findings from the 2002-2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (DHHS Publication No. SMA
08-4333, Analytic Series A-30). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, Office of Applied Studies. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/underage2k8/TOC.htm
In 2007, the average age at first alcohol use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was 16.8 years, similar to the corresponding 2006 estimate (16.6 years).
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf
Those who have their first drink prior to age 19 are significantly more likely to become alcohol dependent, to drive after drinking, and to sustain injuries that required medical attention than those who did not drink before age 19. Those who first drank at younger ages believe they could consume more drinks and still drive safely and legally.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
Hingson, Ralph, et al. “Age of First Intoxication, Heavy Drinking, Driving after Drinking and Risk of Unintentional Injury among US College Students.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 64 no 1 (2003), 23+.
Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens(15-20 year old) and 31% of teen traffic deaths are alcohol-related.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2007: Young Drivers”. DOT 811 007. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811001.PDF
At highest risk are Hispanic children ages 5-12, who are 72 percent more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than non-Hispanic children.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
Baker, Susan. “Motor Vehicle Occupant Deaths Among Hispanic and Black Children and Teenagers.” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Volume 152 (December 1998): 1209-1212.
The crash risk associated with driving after drinking across all blood alcohol content levels is higher for underage drinkers than for adults.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
Hingson, Ralph and D. Kenkel. “Social and Health Consequences of Underage Drinking.” In press. As quoted in Institute of Medicine National Research Council of the National Academies. Bonnie, Richard J. and Mary Ellen O’Connell, eds. Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2003.
In 2004, during weekends around prom, graduation, and homecoming, 47% of traffic crash fatalities of 15-20 year olds were alcohol-related. Of these alcohol-related fatalities, 69% involved a 15-20 year old driver with alcohol in his/her system.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
In 2005, 1,789 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes involving an underage drinking driver.
up>[ref.]
up>[References]
NHTSA FARS data query, 2006
Displaying results 1-10 (of 228)