Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous — both to themselves and society at large. Underage alcohol use is associated with traffic fatalities, violence, unsafe sex, suicide, educational failure, and other problem behaviors that diminish the prospects of future success, as well as health risks — and the earlier teens start drinking, the greater the danger. Despite these serious concerns, the media continues to make drinking look attractive to youth, and it remains possible and even easy for teenagers to get access to alcohol.

Why is this dangerous behavior so pervasive? What can be done to prevent it? What will work and who is responsible for making sure it happens? Reducing Underage Drinking addresses these questions and proposes a new way to combat underage alcohol use. It explores the ways in which may different individuals and groups contribute to the problem and how they can be enlisted to prevent it. Reducing Underage Drinking will serve as both a game plan and a call to arms for anyone with an investment in youth health and safety.




Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. Introduction: The Challenge
I. Underage Drinking in the United States - 2. Characteristics of Underage Drinking
3. Consquences of Underage Drinking
4. Understanding Youth Drinking
II. The Strategy - 5. Designing the Strategy
6. National Media Campaign
7. Alcohol Industry
8. Entertainment Industries
9. Access
10. Youth-Oriented Interventions
11. Communities
12. Federal and State Governments
References
Appendix A: Statement of Task
Appendix B: Agenda and Participants, October 10-11, 2002, Public Workshop
Appendix C: Agenda and Participants, November 18, 2002, Open Committee Meeting and Public Forum
Appendix D: Other Public Contributors
Appendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff
Index
1 The Epidemiology of Underage Drinking in the United States: An Overview--Robert L. Flewelling, Mallie J. Paschall, and Christopher Ringwalt
2 Social, Health, and Economic Consequences of Underage Drinking--Ralph Hingson and Donald Kenkel
3 Health Consequences of Adolescent Alcohol Involvement--Sandra A. Brown and Susan F. Tapert
4 Developmental and Environmental Influences on Underage Drinking: A General Overview--Bonnie L. Halpern-Felsher and Michael Biehl
5 Perceptions of Risk and Social Judgments: Biases and Motivational Factors--Janis E. Jacobs
6 Alcohol Use and Misuse: Prevention Strategies with Minors--William Hansen and Linda Dusenbury
7 Supply Side Approaches to Reducing Underage Drinking: An Assessment of the Scientific Evidence--Harold D. Holder
8 Effectiveness of Sanctions and Law Enforcement Practices Targeted at Underage Drinking Not Involving Operation of a Motor Vehicle--Thomas L. Hafemeister and Shelly L. Jackson
9 The Effects of Price on Alcohol Use, Abuse, and Their Consequences--Frank J. Chaloupka
10 Media Intervention Impact: Evidence and Promising Strategies--Charles Atkin
11 Alcohol in the Media: Drinking Portrayals, Alcohol Advertising, and Alcohol Consumption Among Youth--Joel W. Grube
12 Alcohol Advertising and Promotion--David Jernigan and James O’Hara
13 Drinking and Coming of Age in a Cross-Cultural Perspective--Robin Room
14 Preventing Underage Drinking in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: Contexts, Epidemiology, and Culture--Douglas K. Novins, Paul Spicer, Janette Beals, and Spero M. Manson
15 Teen Treatment: Addressing Alcohol Problems Among Adolescents--Rosalind Brannigan, Mathea Falco, Linda Dusenbury, and William B. Hansen
16 Youth Smoking Prevention Policy: Lessons Learned and Continuing Challenges--Paula M. Lantz