Violent Crime

Abstract

Underage Drinking refers to any use of alcohol by persons under the legal drinking age of 21. Consumption and/or purchase of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. According to the NIAAA Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) while all 50 States and DC prohibit underage possession, only 30 prohibit consumption and 47 prohibit purchase. Justification: Alcohol led to 3,170 deaths and 2.6 million other harmful events among underage drinkers in the US in 2001. Underage drinking is associated with a host of problems, including traffic crashes and fatalities, unwanted and risky sex, pregnancy, and intentional injury. It is estimated that underage drinking costs America as much as $61.5 billion each year. Studies have shown that youth who begin drinking at an early age are at a 3-5 fold increased risk of problem drinking later in life. Measurement of the Problem Recommended Indicator/Measure 1: Current use of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 years Definition: Percent of persons aged 12 and older reporting any use of alcohol within the past 30 days and past year.