NCJ Number
169902
Date Published
1993
Length
78 pages
Annotation
These four reports were originally published in 1991 and 1992 and focus on the nature and extent of juvenile alcohol use, laws concerning alcohol use by youth, and youths' attitudes about alcohol.
Abstract
The reports are intended to inform educators and others who develop or implement school-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs. A study of the dangerous and often unrecognized consequences of underage drinking revealed a strong association between alcohol use and violent crimes such as murder and rape. In addition, many victims of both violent crimes and other crimes were intoxicated at the time of the incident. Moreover, alcohol use was implicated in one-third to two-thirds of sexual assault and acquaintance rape cases among adolescents and college students. Alcohol use is also associated with the early onset of sexual activity and with risky sexual behavior. It is also a factor in suicide, drowning, and campus-related problems. An interview survey of attitudes and use of alcohol among 956 randomly selected students in grades 7 through 12 revealed that 51.2 percent have had at least 1 drink within the past year. They were, on average, 13 years old when they took their first drink. Students also lack essential knowledge about alcohol and receive their information from unreliable sources. Minors can easily purchase, posses, and consume alcohol. Figures; tables; checklists; and appended methodological information, additional results, and reference lists