Alcohol (including beer, wine, and hard liquor) is the most commonly used and widely abused psychoactive drug in the country. Alcohol is the most widely tried drug among teenagers. Over 50% of 8th graders and 8 out of 10 12th graders report having tried alcohol. Many teenagers report binge drinking. Even young teens report irresponsible use of alcohol -- 25% of 8th graders have been drunk.
About half of all alcohol consumed in this country is ingested by heavy drinkers, estimated to be between 6.5 and 10 percent of the total population. The extent and frequency with which these individuals drink cause serious health and behavioral problems—disrupting their own lives and that of their family, friends, and employers—and also extracts a heavy societal toll.
Alcohol use is involved in:
One-half of all murders, accidental deaths, and suicides
One-third of all drowning, boating and aviation deaths
One-half of all crimes
Almost half of all fatal automobile accidents
The health problems associated with alcohol include brain damage, cancer, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. Binge drinking is killing our youth and college students.
If anything, this data has risen since this report. Irresponsible drinking kills. Please decide to be part of the solution...not part of the problem. Be a good role model for your child!
