Underage Drinking Facts
Discover the latest statistics and learn how stigma and
behaviors surrounding underage drinking are changing
The Truth About Underage Drinking
The legal drinking age in North Carolina — and throughout the United States — is 21, yet according to statistics, alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people. In fact, underage drinking often starts early. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that nearly 20% of youth between the ages of 12 to 20 self-reported that they drank alcohol in the past 30 days.
Underage Drinking Statistics
The data shows that not only have 23% of high school students had alcohol in the past month, but many have also engaged in other dangerous alcohol-related, risky behaviors :
But exposure to alcohol happens long before high school.
What does this mean for the parenting community and other youth leaders?
We can’t wait until high school to start the conversation about underage drinking. We must start earlier — to help empower young people to say no to underage drinking.
6 Reasons Why Teenagers Drink
- 1
Curiosity
- 2
Peer pressure – they are desperate to fit in
- 3
Environmental influences like advertising, social media, movies, and TV
- 4
To cope with stress or underlying issues
- 5
To seem older or more independent
- 6
They lack set guidance and boundaries from authority figures
Facts About The Effects of Underage Drinking
Did You Know North Carolina Has A Zero-Tolerance Policy?
While the facts on the health implications of underage drinking are startling, there is also the potential for serious legal ramifications. According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, a person under the age of 21 caught purchasing, attempting to purchase or possessing alcohol will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. Sentencing is left to the judge’s discretion.
North Carolina takes a zero-tolerance stance against drivers who are under the legal drinking age but drank and then got behind the wheel. Any amount of alcohol will result in an immediate 30-day pretrial revocation of their driver’s license. If an underage drinking driver refuses to take a sobriety test, they could be convicted of driving after drinking if the smell of alcohol was on their breath. If convicted, the Division of Motor Vehicles can revoke that person’s driver’s license.
“People under age 21 simply cannot drive with any alcohol or illegally-used drugs in their systems – period.”
Now’s the time to talk with young people about underage drinking.
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