NCJ Number
128768
Journal
Statistical Bulletin Volume: 68 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1987) Pages: 2-11
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Alcohol is the most widely used, accessible drug among American youth, and its popularity is growing. More than two-thirds of youth between 12 and 17 years of age have used beer, wine, or hard liquor in the past year, and about one-third are current drinkers.
Abstract
Peer pressure to drink in the early years may be more intense than generally understood. Reports indicate that the number of young girls who drink alcohol has been increasing faster than their male counterparts. Alcohol is the major cause of all fatal and nonfatal teenage traffic accidents and is implicated in thousands of drownings, suicides, violent injuries, homicides, and burns among adolescents. Alcohol-abusing teenagers are more likely to be engaged in other problem behaviors, to make lower grades in school, to be more involved in heavy marijuana use, and to be less involved in religious activities than nonalcohol-abusing youth. In addition, early use of alcohol is considered to be a predictor of later alcohol abuse and a gateway behavior for illicit drug use and other deviant behaviors. Nearly 9 of every 10 children in 4th to 6th grades are aware that marijuana and cocaine are drugs; less than half consider alcohol a drug. Children's perceptions about the use of alcoholic beverages indicate a climate of acceptability and normative behavior that has serious implications for future problems. Public education campaigns and community-based preventive measures are essential to any long-term solution. 14 references, 3 tables, and 3 figures