The Georgia Department Of Community Health Data Summary Youth Alcohol Use Alcohol is more widely used among youth than tobacco or illegal drugs.1 Health Consequences From 2001 to 2005: 157 Georgia youth (< age 21) died each year from alcohol-related illness or injury More young men (77%) than women (23%) died each year from alcohol-related illness or injury 46% of youth alcohol-attributable deaths were due to motor-vehicle crashes 34% of youth alcohol-attributable deaths were due to homicide or suicide2 Youth alcohol use is also associated with increased risk for: Physical assault Tobacco use Sexual assault Drug use Academic problems Unplanned and unprotected sexual activity1 Youth who consume alcohol are five times more likely to become dependent on or abuse alcohol than those who wait to try alcohol until they are 21 years of age3 Excessive alcohol use among youth is associated with brain damage, intellectual impairment, and memory problems1,4 Drinking Behaviors In 2009, 21% of Georgia high school students reported having their first drink of alcohol (other than a few sips) before the age 13 In 2009, 32% of Georgia middle school students and 68% of high school students reported having one or more alcoholic drinks at least once in their lifetime Approximately 331,386 (34%) Georgia high school students had at least one drink of alcohol in the last 30 days in 2009 In 2009, 181,634 (19%) Georgia high school students reported binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks at one time) Among Georgia high school students who consumed alcohol in 2009, 41% usually drank liquor rather than malt beverages (17%), beer (17%), no usual type (12%) or other types of beverages including wine and wine coolers (14%)5 Binge drinking by grade level/age, Binge dGreinokrginiag20b0y9grade level/age, 50 Georgia 2009 Usual beverage type consumed by high school students, Georgia 2009 50 41 Percent Percent 25 22 23 18 25 14 11 17 17 14 12 0 0 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade Adults 18+* Liquor Beer Malt Other No Usual Beverages Beverages** Type *Binge drinking among adults6 is defined as five or more drinks per episode for men and four or more drinks per episode for women. **Other beverages include wine, wine coolers and other types of alcoholic beverages. 2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 w www.dch.georgia.gov January 2011 Youth Alcohol Use 2010 Georgia Data Summary Drinking and Driving In 2009, 66,953 (7%) Georgia high school students reported driving after consuming alcohol Among 12th grade students in Georgia, 12% reported driving after consuming alcohol in 2009 Youth Access to Alcohol In 2009, 36% of Georgia high school students who reported alcohol use usually got alcohol from someone who gave it to them Among Georgia high school students who consumed alcohol, 82% did so at their own home or another person's home in 20095 Alcohol source for high school students, 50 Georgia 2009 UUssuuaalllolocactaiotnioonf hoigfhhsicghhoosl csthuodeonlt saltcuodheolnctonaslucmophtoiolnu, se, GGeeoorrggiaia20209009 36 Percent 25 0 Given to Them 24 9 22 9 Gave Someone Money to Buy Took from Store or Family Bought from Store, Restaurant, or at Public Event Got Some Other Way Their Own Home 26% Other Location* 18% Another Person's Home 56% *Other locations include public places, public events, in vehicles and on school property. Prevention of Youth Alcohol Use Maintaining a minimum legal drinking age of 21: - Results in reduced levels of alcohol consumption among young adults - Is recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services based on strong evidence that it prevents motor-vehicle crashes among youth Better enforcement of laws prohibiting alcohol sales to minors is recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services Limiting alcohol outlet density, or limiting the number of places to buy alcohol from, is recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services7 Increasing alcohol excise taxes is recommended by the Committee on Developing Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking Reducing youth exposure to alcohol advertising is recommended by the Committee on Developing Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking 8 Sources: 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2007. 2. 2001-2005 Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) Software, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www. cdc.gov/alcohol/ardi.htm). 3. Hingson RW, Heeren T, Winter MR. Age at drinking onset and alcohol dependence: age at onset, duration, and severity. Pediatrics 2006;160:739746. 4. Zeigler DW, Wang CC, Yoast RA, Dickinson BD, McCaffree MA, Robinowitz CB, Sterling ML. The neurocognitive effects of alcohol on adolescents and college students. Preventive Medicine 2005; 40: 23-32. 5. 2009 Georgia Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey (http://health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/studenthealth.asp). 6. 2009 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (http://health.state.ga.us/epi/brfss/index.asp). 7. Guide to Community Preventive Services (www.thecommunityguide.org/alcohol/lawsprohibitingsales.html). 8. Bonnie RJ, O'Connell ME, eds. Reducing underage drinking: A collective responsibility. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2004.