Underage alcohol use: What’s the cost? Published July 30, 2010 By Mildred M. Fitch Substance Abuse Counselor TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Alcohol is the drug of choice among youth. Many young people are experiencing the consequences of drinking too much, at too early an age. As a result, underage drinking is a leading public health problem in the country. In 2007, the Century Council reported that underage drinking cost the citizens of Oklahoma $939 million. These costs included medical care, work loss, pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth. This translates to a cost of $2,634 per year for each youth in the state. Oklahoma ranks 14th highest among the 50 states for the cost per year of underage drinking. The article showed the breakdown in millions as: Youth violence, $596.6; youth traffic crashes, $157.6: high-risk sex, ages 14-20, $73.4; youth property crime, $39.4; youth injury, $33.6; poisonings and psychoses, $4.2, fetal alcohol syndrome among mothers age 15-20, $17.6; and youth alcohol treatment, $16.1. Underage drinking in Oklahoma leads to substantial harm due to traffic crashes, violent crime, property crime, unintentional injury and risky sex. In 2008, of the 244 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 46 were under age 21. Of the 18,890 driving under the influence, 233 were under the age of 18. During 2007, an estimated 29 traffic fatalities and 1,200 nonfatal traffic injuries involved an underage drinking driver. In 2006, an estimated 28 homicides; 14,800 nonfatal violent crimes such as rape, robbery and assault; and 24,700 property crimes including burglary, larceny and car theft involved an underage drinking perpetrator. In 2006, an estimated seven alcohol involved fatal burns, drowning and suicides involved underage drinking. In 2006, an estimated 2,500 teen pregnancies and 11,600 risky sexual acts by teens involved alcohol. Today, alcohol is widely available and aggressively promoted throughout society. Alcohol use continues to be regarded, by many people, as normal part of growing up. Yet, underage drinking is dangerous, not only for the drinker but also for society, as evident by the number of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides and other injuries. People who begin drinking early in life run the risk of developing serious alcohol problems, including alcoholism, later in life. They also are at greater risk for a variety of adverse consequences, including risky sexual activity and poor performance in school and career. The Air Force has a zero tolerance for underage drinking. Prevention must play an important part in helping our young people make better choices. Underage drinking has cost some military members their careers. At Tinker, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is given to all new enlisted members with special emphasis on underage drinking. Literature is available at various locations in Bldgs. 5801, 201 and 3001, the 552nd Air Control Wing and the Navy. All 50 states have a zero tolerance for underage individuals that drive after consumption of alcohol. Oklahoma has a statewide enforcement project 2 Much 2 Lose whose primary goal is designed to raise community awareness about the under 21 drinking problem. It is going to take a community effort to make a change. For more information about this important issue, visit www.centurycouncil.org; www.niaaa.nih.gov; www.udetc.org; www.2much2lose.com or call the Tinker Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program at 739-7141.