Statistics

National Statistics.

• There are an estimated 10.8 million underage drinkers in the U.S., according to the
  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
• Unlike adults, when young people drink, they tend to drink a lot at one time, or “binge” drink.*
• Of adults who started drinking before age 15, approximately 40% say they have signs of alcohol dependence.
• Underage drinking can lead to poor decisions about risky sexual activity, driving
  while intoxicated and behavior problems.
• Alcohol is the drug of choice among adolescents. About two in five eighth graders
  have consumed alcohol in their lifetime. 17% of eighth graders report using alcohol in the past month—more than cigarettes and marijuana combined.*
• 11% of eighth graders have engaged in binge drinking (consuming 5 or more drinks on a single occasion). 29% of 12th graders report doing so.

* Wechsler H, Nelson TF, 2008. What We Have Learned From the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2008.
** National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Colorado Statistics.

• Approximately 3 out of 10 Colorado high school students had their first drink of alcohol (other than a few sips) before the age of 13.
• Approximately 5 out of 10 drank alcohol during the past month.
• Approximately 3 out of 10 consumed five or more alcoholic beverages in a row on one of more days during the past month.
• Approximately 1 out of 10 tried marijuana for the first time before the age of 13.
• Approximately 4 out of 10 have used marijuana one or more times in their lifetime.
• Approximately 2.5 out of 10 used marijuana during the past month.
• Approximately .5 out of 10 ever used methamphetamines.
• Approximately 2.5 out of 10 were offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school property during the past year.

Source: 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Study (YRBS-Unweighted data).

Weld County Statistics.

Facts About Underage Drinking in eight Weld County school districts.

In 2007, the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey was conducted in Weld County. Here are just a few of the findings from that study.

• The onset of alcohol use in Weld County for children was ages 13-14.
• Three out of 10 Weld County students have had their first drink of alcohol before
  the age of 13.
• Almost half of Weld County students have had a first drink of alcohol before the age
  of 15.
• Approximately 17% of sixth graders in Weld County say they have used alcohol
  at least once. By 8th grade, 48% have had at least one drink. And by 9th grade, 56% have.
• More teens drink alcohol than smoke cigarettes or use marijuana.
• Most young people who start drinking before age 21, do so when they are 13-14
  years old.
• 19% of sixth graders and 56% of ninth graders in Weld County report that it is easy
  to obtain alcohol.
• 32% of students between 6th and 12th grade drank alcohol during the past month, with 7% of 6th graders drinking, and 49% of 12th graders.
• 20% of all Weld County students in he survey consumed five or more alcoholic
  beverages in a row on one or more days during the past month. Binge drinking rates ranged from 4% of sixth graders to 30% of 12th graders.