Studies show that drinking alcohol can interfere with normal brain development1. Drinking is also associated with lower school performance2increased involvement with the legal system3use of other substances4and greater risk of injury, including death from traffic accidents.5
Over the past 20 years, prevention efforts have made steady progress in reducing alcohol abuse among youth and young adults due to comprehensive approaches based on evidence from community, state, and federal partners. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, between 2002 and 2020, current alcohol consumption by teenagers and young adults has decreased. Among 12- to 17-year-olds, current drinking fell from 34.6 percent in 2002 to 18.5 percent in 2020, and among 18- to 25-year-olds it fell from 77.9 percent to 69.5 percent during the same period. Going forward, we must maintain this positive momentum and continue to maximize the keys to this success.
Research from Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Alcohol Consumption suggests that prevention strategies are most effective when implemented as part of a multifaceted approach that includes parents and families, law enforcement, health care providers, community organizations, schools and universities, local and state governments, and the federal government.
This April, as we observe Alcohol Awareness Monththere is a significant opportunity to highlight the positive impact of the effectiveness of underage drinking prevention strategies and messages at all levels by promoting proven strategies, exploring innovations and highlighting the power of partnerships.
One way to advance this work is to put tools and resources in the hands of parents, caregivers and others who interact with young people every day and have the power to engage them in conversations about the importance of avoiding alcohol and other healthy lifestyle choices of life.
SAMHSA has resources to help parents, caregivers and other adults who care and talk with young people about the dangers and harms of using alcohol and other substances of abuse. Here are some ways to connect youth with alcohol abuse awareness and prevention resources:
- I’m going to you StopAlcoholAbuse.gov for the latest research and resources to support the prevention of underage drinking and related issues.
- Reading Communities Discussion success stories as inspiration for activities operating across the country to prevent underage drinking.
- Learn and share the facts about alcohol abuse and share evidence-based resources from SAMHSA Storesuch as:
- Share SAMHSA’s National Helpline—1–800–662–HELP (4357) with people experiencing mental and/or substance use disorders who need immediate help.
- Direct people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress to support through it National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—1–800–273–8255.
- See the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which will be operational in July 2022 and will operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Together, with continued energy and dedication, we can help our nation’s youth and young adults live healthy lives free from the harmful effects of alcohol and other substance abuse.
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1Pfefferbaum, A., Kwon, D., Brumback, T., Thompson, WK, Cummins, K., Tapert, SF, Brown, SA, Colrain, IM, Baker, FC, Prouty, D., De Bellis, MD, Clark, DB, Nagel, BJ, Chu, W., Park, SH, Pohl, KM, & Sullivan, EV (2018). Altered developmental brain trajectories in adolescents after initiation of alcohol consumption. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(4), 370–380.
2US Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Alcohol Consumption. Retrieved from
3Popovici, I., Homer, JF, Fang, H., & French, MT (2012). Alcohol use and crime: Findings from a longitudinal sample of US adolescents and young adults. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 36(3), 532–543.
4Hingson, RW, Heeren, T., & Winter, MR (2006). Age at onset of drinking and alcohol dependence: age of onset, duration, and severity. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 160(7), 739–746.
5NIAAA. Underage drinking. 2020. Accessed March 28, 2022.
