Underage Drinking is a Serious Public Health Issue.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2008), alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs.

• People aged 12 to 20 years drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2005).

• Youth who drink alcohol experience many severe consequences, including school problems, such as truancy and failing grades; social problems, such as fighting and lack of involvement in youth activities; legal problems, such as arrest for driving or engaging in violence while drunk; and physical problems, such as disruption of normal growth and unwanted, unplanned or unprotected sexual activity (Miller, Naimi, Brewer, & Jones, 2007).

• An association between alcohol consumption and violent aggressive behavior has long been recognized (Reiss & Roth, 1994).

• Those who begin using alcohol before age 18 are more likely to be involved in a physical fight after they drink than those who begin using as adults (Hingson, Heeren, and Zakocs, 2001).

It Matters to Dorchester.

• 73% of Dorchester youth have not had a drink of alcohol in the past 30 days.

• Nearly half (47%) of Dorchester youth say they disapprove or somewhat disapprove of their peers drinking alcohol.

• Suffolk County has the highest rate of liquor stores among its surrounding counties (2010 Liquor Store Density).

• There are 17 liquor stores in the eastern section of Dorchester alone.