Teen drinking is a major public health concern in Minnesota and Dakota County. Alcohol use by teens leads to many problems, including traffic crashes, violence and property crime, suicide, and poor school performance. The three leading causes of death for 15- to 24-year-olds are automobile crashes, homicides and suicides -- and alcohol is a leading factor in all three.
Data from the 2010
Minnesota Student Survey shows progress in reducing underage drinking by Dakota County students. Key findings:
Any alcohol use in the past 12 months:
- 12th graders - decreased from 80% in 1992 to 59% in 2010
- 9th graders - decreased from 63% in 1992 to 31% in 2010
- 6th graders - decreased from 23% in 1992 to 7% in 2010
Binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row) in the past two weeks:
- 12th graders - decreased from 32% in 1992 to 24% in 2010
- 9th graders - decreased from 20% in 1998 to 9% in 2010
Nearly 60 percent of 12th graders report that they drank in the past year:
- 14% of 12th graders report frequent drinking (at least 20 times in the past year)
- About one-in-four 12th graders report binge drinking (five or more drinks in a row) in the past 2 weeks
Dakota County teens – and all residents – are at risk for injuries caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs:
- 25% of 12th grade boys and 14% of 12th grade girls have driven after using alcohol or other drugs
- 42% of 12th grade boys and 29% of 12th grade girls have accepted a ride from friends who had used alcohol or other drugs