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Summary

Even though 75% of all youth have tasted alcohol before their high school graduation, adolescent alcohol use overall has declined or remained constant in recent years.
 
However, age at first use is getting younger, on average. In 2005, over 25% of high school students had their first drink before the age of 13. For current 9th graders, that rate was 33.9%. Even though most youth disapprove of binge drinking, youth overall are starting to drink at younger ages. Recent research shows that early onset of drinking (before 14 years) shows a greater likelihood of alcohol dependence later in life. There are numerous short-and long-term consequences as well.
 
References


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Underage Drinking in California: California Town Hall Meetings. Community Prevention Institute. March, 2006.

Underage Drinking in California: California Town Hall Meetings. Community Prevention Institute. March, 2006.

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