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A D V I C E A N D I N F O R M A T I O N : J U S T T H E F A C T S
Substance abuse
Facts about substance abuse among youth
- The average age a teenager starts drinking alcohol is 13, with marijuana experimentation beginning at age 14. (Parent Help Inc.)
- Underage drinkers are responsible for between 10 and 20 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States. (National Academy of Sciences, 2003)
- Teenagers are not well informed about alcohol's effects. Nearly one-third of teens mistakenly believe that a 12-ounce can of beer contains less alcohol than a standard shot of distilled spirits. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1998)
- Nearly 80% of all alcohol-related fatalities are caused primarily by the consumption of beer, followed by liquor/wine at 20% (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2002)
- Youths aged 12 to 17 who participated in school, community, or faith-base activities during the past year were less likely to have used cigarettes, alcohol or illicit drugs in the past month than youths who did not participate in these activities. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2002)
- Hispanics are among the highest percentage of high school students who drink before the age of 13, at 33.7% followed by African American and Caucasian Americans at 28.2%. (Center for Disease Control, 2001)
- In general, June and July are the months at highest risk for the initiation of alcohol, marijuana or cigarettes among youth. (SAMHSA, 2002)
- More than 2.6 million youths aged 12 to 17 reported using inhalants at least once in their lifetime. Youths who had used an inhalant were about three times more likely to use marijuana, four times more likely to abuse prescription drugs, and seven times more likely to use hallucinogens than those who had not used inhalants. (SAMHSA, 2002)
- Among 12th graders, researchers have found virtually identical rates of drug use in schools that have drug testing and schools that do not. For example, 36% of those in non-testing schools reported having used marijuana in the 12 months prior to the survey, versus 37% in the schools that did test. (University of Michigan, 2001)
Youth Eastside Services helps save lives. When substance abuse, violence or emotional problems shatter the lives of kids and families, YES makes them whole again. We help create confident and self-reliant youth, strong families and a safe Eastside community that cares for its young people.
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