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Working together, the beverage alcohol industry, governments, individuals, and private organizations are making progress in combating underage drinking and drunk driving. The most effective means of continuing this positive trend occurs through positive parental involvement and peer guidance; an objective understanding of the facts; and by stressing education, tough laws, strict enforcement of state purchase laws, and positive peer pressure.

Underage Drinking: Continuing Progress, But More Should Be Done

• Underage drinking is near its lowest point since 1974 when data were first collected. The distilled spirits industry, through its public education and social responsibility programs, has been a part of this progress.
• From 1979 to 1999, there was a 39 percent decline in the proportion of 12 to 17 year-olds who ever drank alcohol - the lowest level since the survey began. Over the same period, there was nearly a two-thirds (63 percent) decrease in the proportion of 12 to 17 year-olds who drank alcohol within the past 30 days (Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
• According to the latest data from the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Study, the proportion of college students reporting daily drinking declined 44.6 percent between 1980 and 2000; and drinking in the preceding thirty days declined by nearly 18 percent during the same period.
• In its 1994 report, "Youth Fatal Crash and Alcohol Facts," the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states: "The national effort to reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries of young people, ages 15 through 20, has been a success story. Although far too many youth still die tragically in these crashes, fatality reductions over the past decade, especially those that are alcohol-related, have been remarkable." NHTSA's most recent data report that the number of under 21 alcohol related traffic fatalities declined 57% from 1982 to 1999.
• According to 1999 NHTSA data, fatal accidents involving under-21 drunk drivers are down 61 percent since 1982.
• NHTSA also reports that the proportion of drivers under age 21 who were involved in fatal accidents and who were intoxicated dropped from 30 percent in 1982 to 14 percent in 1999.

Advertising and Consumption

• Advertising does not cause an individual to consume, let alone abuse beverage alcohol.
• Various government bodies and academic experts have recognized that there is no scientific basis to conclude that advertising restrictions will reduce alcohol abuse or illegal, underage drinking.

Listening to Young People

• Revealing voices on underage drinking are young people themselves. They consistently cite their parents and peers as the most influential factor in their decision to drink or not drink.
• According to a 1996 national survey by the Roper Starch research organization, when asked what influences their decisions to drink or not drink, over 60 percent of young people consistently cited their parents as their primary influence, 28 percent cited their peers, while only 4 percent cited advertisements.
• A 1997 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also underscores that influences within the home are the most powerful in combating illegal, underage drinking. ("Protecting Adolescents From Harm: Findings From the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health," Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 278 No. 10, pp. 823-832 (September 10, 1997).) This study showed that adolescents who have strong social support systems, including parents and teachers, are less likely to consume alcohol. In addition, the study found that, among older students, lack of parental presence in the home was associated with alcohol use.

Focusing on Solutions That Work

• Mutual cooperation between the industry, educators, government, and the public have worked in reducing alcohol abuse, including illegal, underage drinking and drunk driving.
• The distilled spirits industry has supported and continues to support programs combating alcohol abuse, drunk driving and illegal, underage drinking.
• For example, the distilled spirits industry is a national leader in combating drunk driving through tough law enforcement and education. DISCUS initiated model legislation entitled, The Drunk Driving Prevention Act. Its provisions, many of which are being considered and adopted by state legislatures around the country, include mandatory alcohol education for drivers, zero tolerance for underage drivers, administrative license revocation, anti-open container laws, and drug and alcohol testing for drivers in fatal crashes.
• In addition, The Century Council, a not-for-profit organization funded solely by America's leading distillers, works in partnership with local communities. Together, they develop and implement innovative programs to address illegal, underage drinking that can be shared with many other communities across the country.
• Strong parental guidance, positive peer pressure, education, stringent anti-drunk driving and legal purchase laws, and strict enforcement of these laws effectively address underage drinking and drunk driving.

Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., Inc.
October 2001