Underage Drinking Decreases

A recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows a decline in binge drinking rates among young adults, ages 12-20 years old. The report indicates that 14% of young adults report binge drinking, down from 16%.  The data is from the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health which was conducted with 67,500 Americans across a variety of ages.

The decline in binge drinking is an indicator of successful policy, community coalitions and enforcement. Frances M. Harding, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, emphasizes that prevention efforts must continue to ensure long-term progress (1). This is especially true given that it is a national priority to reduce binge drinking behavior among college students (2).

  1. https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201706220200>
  2. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Substance-Abuse>

 

 

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