Posted on January 14, 2010

Underage drinking continues to be a problem, even with a federal effort to curb underage drinking. A range of programs have been implemented and supported by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD).

According to an article in the West Yellowstone News, this effort has made some progress. The bad news is this progress may be slowing, demanding that the issue needs more attention and greater emphasis from adults.

The new Monitoring the Future data from the University of Michigan shows that a long-term gradual decline in alcohol use among those in the 8th, 10th and 12th grades has leveled off. Similar results were found for binge drinkers.

While this problem can impact the health of those engaged in the drinking, it can also be a financial burden. According to the Academies estimates, the annual cost of underage drinking settles around $53 billion in losses from traffic deaths, violent crime and other destructive behavior.

Data from research conducted by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) dubbed Teens Today shows that by 12th grade, more than 3 in 4 teens are drinking. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), 85 percent of 17 year-old drinkers get drunk at least once in a typical month.

A survey of 6,608 students at the University of Wisconsin conducted in February 2009 found that 33 percent of respondents reported that they have missed classes due to alcohol. Another 24 percent had unprotected sex due to alcohol and 49 percent reported doing something while drinking that they regretted later.