Underage Drinking Stats

The Century Council has been fighting against underage drinking for nearly two decades. While rates have declined, alcohol consumption among youth under the legal drinking age remains at an alarming level.

Nearly 11 million youths, ages 12 to 20, in this country report they have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. The rate of current alcohol consumption increases with increasing age according to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2% at age 12, 27% at age 16, and 57% at age 20.

We work with all segments of the community, including parents, youth, law enforcement, judges, educators, public officials, government agencies, and advocacy groups to provide valuable information and develop comprehensive programs to delay first consumption of alcohol, prevent underage drinking, and reduce the access to alcohol by minors.

We have created a number of research-based educational programs that address underage drinking at the elementary/middle-school, high school, and college levels, and track statistics and the latest available research on this critical issue.