Statistics
Approximately 18 million Americans—8.5 percent of the population—meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
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[References]Grant, Bridgett, et al. "The 12-Month Prevalence and Trends in DSM-IV Alcohol Abuse and Dependence: United States, 1991–1992 and 2001–2002." Drug and Alcohol Dependence 74 (3): (2003) 223-234.
In 2006, the average age at first alcohol use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was 16.6 years. This is earlier than any other drug except inhalants.
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[References]Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings,” Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Applied Studies, 2007. http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results.cfm#Ch3
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.
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[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.
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[References]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Young Drivers”. DOT 810 817. Washington DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810817.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.
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[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.
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[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.
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In 2005, 1,789 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes involving an underage drinking driver.
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[References]NHTSA FARS data query, 2006
In 2005, only 78 percent of African-Americans were observed wearing seat belts in the front seats of vehicles, compared with 82 percent usage overall.
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About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol are repeat offenders.
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