Underage drinking costs Florida $3B a year

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A state agency says traffic accidents, crimes and medical costs incurred by underage drinkers are costing Florida more than $3 billion a year.A study released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Children and Families shows violent crime committed by minors while drinking costs about $316 million. Alcohol-related traffic crashes by minors costs about $642.7 million.Other costs to the state from underage drinking include fetal alcohol syndrome, suicide and abuse treatment.According to the study, the number of Florida minors who reported drinking in the past 30 days was higher than the national average at 37 percent, compared to 29 percent.DCF officials say the statistics show the need to expand prevention programs.

Alcohol Use Is Widespread Among Today’s Teenagers

Nearly 70% of 8th graders perceive alcoholic beverages as “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get.
By the time they complete high school nearly 80% of teenagers have consumed alcohol, 30% report having been drunk in the past month, and 29% report having 5 or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks.

Alcohol Use Increases Substantially From Middle To High School

Approximately 20% of 8th graders report having recently (within the past 30 days) consumed alcohol compared to 35% of 10th graders and almost 50% of 12th graders.
A little over 20% of 8th graders report having been drunk at least once in their life compared to almost 45% of 10th graders and 60% of 12th graders.

The Consequences of Underage Drinking

A person who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol.
During adolescence significant changes occur in the body, including the formation of new networks in the brain. Alcohol use during this time may affect brain development.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 20, and the rate of fatal crashes among alcohol-involved drivers between 16 and 20 years old is more than twice the rate for alcohol-involved drivers 21 and older. Alcohol use also is linked with youthful deaths by drowning, suicide, and homicide.
Alcohol use is associated with many adolescent risk behaviors, including other drug use and delinquency, weapon carrying and fighting, and perpetrating or being the victim of date rape.

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