Underage Drinking: Alcohol and Teens Don't Mix

Be Their Guide. Don’t Provide.

Underage drinking is a serious health and safety problem in the Massapequas as alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among our youth.  In the Massapequas, youth report drinking in the Past 30 Day Use of Alcohol at alarming rates. 

Some Massapequa youth report having their first drink before the age of fourteen (2022 NYS OASAS PFS YDS Survey). Alcohol and drug use at an early age is an important predictor of the development of a substance use disorder later on in life. The majority of those who have a substance use disorder started using before age 18 and developed their disorder by age 20 (National Institute on Drug Abuse).  

In 2023, 7.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 who reported binge drinking in the past month had also experienced a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) within the past year (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2023 Report). Additionally, this study showed that 14.51% of those adolescents had both an MDE and Substance Use Disorder. These statistics emphasize why parents should be vigilant, as a significant number of adolescents experiencing mental health challenges are also engaging in binge drinking and facing co-occurring disorders.

Underage drinking affects our children's health, our families and the entire community. Learn more by clicking the links below: