The Century Council: How Do Our Nation's Youth Get The Alcohol They Drink?

4/3/2002

From: Monica Gallagher or Leslie Mills, 202-637-0077, both of The Century Council; Web site: www.centurycouncil.org

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- Today The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by America's leading distillers and dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, announced the results of a national survey revealing that a majority of youth obtain alcohol from family and friends. According to the self-administered online omnibus survey conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) between December 2001 and January 2002, 52 percent of youths between the ages of thirteen and twenty get alcohol from their parents or their friends' parents and 49 percent get it from a friend over the age of 21. Only 15 percent of the teens surveyed said they obtained alcohol at a store that failed to ask for proper identification while 20 percent said they obtained alcohol illegally with the use of false identification.

"Hopefully the results of this survey will serve as a wake-up call for all parents," said Susan Molinari, chairman of The Century Council. "As we all strive to do our part during Alcohol Awareness Month, right on the cusp of prom and graduation season, it is critical that parents play a more active role in keeping alcohol out of the hands of our nation's children. Teens today are getting alcohol from right under their parents' noses. Parents must communicate early and often about the dangers of underage drinking, must ask questions about kids' activities and know their friends, and must keep tabs on the alcohol in the home."

"As the survey illustrates, reported alcohol use increases proportionately with age -- 29 percent of 13-15 year olds, 55 percent of 16-18 year olds, and 79 percent of 19-20 year olds drink alcoholic beverages. Many teens will feel pressure to drink alcohol during the upcoming prom and graduation season. It is imperative that parents, school counselors, and caregivers discuss underage drinking with their teens," said Richard Wong, executive director of the American School Counselor Association.

Additional key findings of the recent survey indicate that just over half of America's youth between the ages of 13 and 20 currently consume or have consumed alcohol in their lifetime. Reported drinking is highest among 19-20 year old females, even in comparison with their male peers (85 percent and 70 percent, respectively).

"In addition to these recent survey results, a survey conducted last Fall revealed that while 74 percent of parents said they spoke to their teens in the past week or month about the dangers of underage drinking, only 33 percent of teens could recall such a conversation," said Molinari. "Keeping the lines of communication open between parents and teens has potentially life-saving consequences; parents need to foster open discussions about alcohol and there's no better time than the present."

Celebrating over 10 years in the fight against drunk driving and underage drinking, The Century Council's funding companies, Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine North America, Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., Brown-Forman, DIAGEO, Future Brands LLC, and Pernod Ricard USA, have invested more than $120 million in educational and outreach programs. Ready or Not(r): Talking With Kids About Alcohol, "Brandon Tells His Story," Alcohol 101(r) and "Parents You're Not Done Yet" are among The Council's programs created to educate middle-school through college students, their parents, teachers, and adult caregivers about the importance of making responsible decisions regarding beverage alcohol.

For more information on The Century Council and its mission, log onto www.centurycouncil.org.