Stats/Facts About Underage Drinking
- Children who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are 6 times more likely to develop alcohol problems than those who start after age 21.
- About 40% of teens have tried alcohol by the 8th grade.1
- Underage Drinking is a major cause of death from injuries among young people.
— Each year, about 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking.2 - More than 1 in 4 of American Indian/Alaska Native youth between the ages of 12 and 20 reported they had consumed alcohol in the past month.3
Conversation Tips
It’s no secret that alcohol abuse and dependence have harmful consequences affecting the well-being of individuals and their families. As parents and relatives, we must teach our children about the many dangers of underage drinking. Our children are our future. We must teach them these lessons in order to preserve our culture and traditions that value the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Let’s open up a conversation with our children, before it’s too late to talk with them.
- When you talk with your children about drinking, listen to them and honestly respect what they say.
- Involve other relatives and elders in the conversation so that you feel supported
in your opposition of underage drinking. - Set the expectation that your children should not drink.
- Present the facts clearly.
- Talk about the laws regarding underage drinking, including the legal drinking age of 21.
Links to Resources
- www.Family.samhsa.gov
- www.UnderageDrinking.SAMHSA.gov
- www.TooSmartToStart.samhsa.gov
- www.oneskycenter.org
- Culture Card: American Indian and Alaska Native:
A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness (PDF) - Call 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (877-726-4727) for more facts, guides, and brochures.
