Top 5 takeaways from today's 2013 MTF Study data
(For our full report on the 2013 Monitoring the Future Study, click here.)
The release of the 2013 Monitoring the Future Study today was a good news story in terms of underage alcohol consumption. In fact, all alcohol consumption prevalence rates decreased among 8th, 10th and 12th graders, continuing a more than 20-year downward trend in these statistics.
Here are the top 5 takeaways from the latest Study:
- Lifetime, annual and past-month consumption rates among youth in all three grade levels are at an historic low.
- More than seven out of ten 8th graders report they have never consumed alcohol, down 60% proportionally from 70% in 1991 to 28% in 2013.
- Past 30-day consumption declined at a statistically significant rate among 12th graders from 2012 to 2013.
- Statistically significant decreases were observed from 2012 to 2013 among the number of 10th graders who report they have been drunk in the past month and have engaged in binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row in the last two weeks).
- Students report an increase in their disapproval of binge drinking among peers and a decrease in the availability of alcohol.
Overall alcohol consumption among youth has been declining for the past two decades, but there remains more work to be done. The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility is particularly pleased with the continued downward trend noted in the survey among 8th graders who are our national Ask, Listen, Learn; Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix program target audience. Parents remain the leading influence on their children’s decisions to drink or not drink alcohol, and Ask, Listen, Learn, the largest program of its kind, reaches millions of middle school students, their parents, and teachers each year. We remain committed to lead the fight to eliminate underage drinking and its cultural acceptance.