Alcohol use by those younger than the legal drinking age of 21 continues to be a serious public health and public safety concern. It remains the most widely used substance of abuse among our young people with serious consequences for youth, families, and communities.
In a recent Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) Survey, 30% of youth had at least one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days. Additionally, 44% self-reported that they usually got the alcohol by someone giving it to them.
Every year underage drinking undermines the well-being of youth resulting in unintentional injuries, motor vehicle crashes, academic problems, suicide, as well as alcohol and drug poisoning. Long term effects may include brain development and impairment as well as alcohol problems and substance abuse later in life.
Let’s work together to reduce underage drinking and its negative consequences.
