UNTIL WHEN? –
Feb. 6, 2024 – Young people seem to be getting the message about the dangers of alcohol use. Underage consumption has been decreasing steadily for decades, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Here’s the problem: Once young people — especially women — get into their late 20s, that responsible behavior often starts to slip. The challenge now is finding out a way to keep them on the right track.
First, let’s look at the good news: Between 2002 and 2021, the prevalence of alcohol use in the past 30 days among 16- and 17-year-olds dropped by 58 percent. Among 14- and 15-year-olds, it fell 69 percent. Today’s high school and college-age students consume less alcohol and are less likely to binge drink compared with their earlier peers.
