Teens Perceive Little Risk in Heavy Drinking, Study Finds

A recent study by The Partnership at Drugfree.org revealed that nearly half of American teenagers do not see significant risk in drinking five or more alcoholic beverages nearly every day. The study, which surveyed 2,544 teens anonymously between March and June 2010, also found upward trends in marijuana and Ecstasy use among young people in high school. The average age when teens had their first drink was 14, with 68% of teens reporting they had consumed alcohol in their lifetime, and one quarter having their first drink at age 12 or younger.

Key Takeaways:

• 45% of teens surveyed did not see great risk in drinking five or more alcoholic beverages nearly every day.
• The average age when teens had their first drink was 14.
• 68% of teens reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime.
• One quarter of teens had their first drink at age 12 or younger.
• The top reasons for drinking among teens were "because it is fun" and "so they won't feel left out."
• 25% of teens reported smoking marijuana in the past month, up from 2008 but unchanged from the previous year.
• 6% of teens reported past-month use of Ecstasy, up from 4% in 2008.

Statistics:

• 2,544 teens were surveyed anonymously between March and June 2010.
• The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.
• 68% of teens reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime.
• 45% of teens did not see great risk in drinking five or more alcoholic beverages nearly every day.
• 25% of teens reported smoking marijuana in the past month.
• 6% of teens reported past-month use of Ecstasy.

Sources:

• The Partnership at Drugfree.org
• The AP (Associated Press) - no specific date mentioned but the study was "released Wednesday"