Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth, and is responsible for the death of over 4,300 young people each year. Youth alcohol use can contribute to a variety of serious problems including:

• Increased likelihood of risky sexual behavior
• Increased risk of physical and sexual assault
• Increased risk of memory problems

The younger a person starts drinking, the more likely they are to drink heavily as an adult. Youth who start using alcohol before age 15 are nearly five times more likely to abuse alcohol or become addicted to it later in life than those who start at age 21 or older.