In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 states with the most underage drinking in the US. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the economic cost of excessive drinking in America and the initiatives by a major brewing company to prevent underage drinking, head to 20 States with the Most Underage Drinking in the US.
5. North Dakota
Prevalence of Underage Drinking: 20.65%
Despite still being among the States with the Highest Rate of Teenage Drinking, North Dakota has made significant progress over the last two decades. In the 20 years between 2001 and 2021, alcohol use by the Peace Garden State’s high schoolers dropped from around 59% to just under 24%.
North Dakota is also counted among the States with the Highest Rates of Drunk Driving Deaths, with a staggering 47% of all motor vehicle-related deaths involving alcohol.
4. Rhode Island
Prevalence of Underage Drinking: 21.06%
Although small in size, the state of Rhode Island is quite big on alcohol. Nearly 1 of every 5 Rhode Island adults (19.7%) reports binge drinking at least once a month. The same goes for high-school students, at 18.3%. Both are higher than their respective national average.
A 2021 study found that almost 59% of Rhode Islanders aged 18 to 20 claim to have received alcohol from a friend or relative who is over the age of 21.
3. Wisconsin
Prevalence of Underage Drinking: 21.54%
Wisconsin is the State with the Highest Rate of Binge Drinking in America. Nearly 25% of the state’s high school students reported binge drinking within the past month. Excessive drinking costs the Badger State about $4 billion a year, or approximately $700 per resident. A major reason for the high alcohol consumption in Wisconsin could be its low liquor taxes, resulting in lower retail and wholesale prices.
2. Vermont
Prevalence of Underage Drinking: 22.29%
Vermont is the State with the Highest Rate of Underage Binge Drinking in the US, with 15.23% of its population aged 12-20 involved in binge drinking within the past month, consuming four or more alcoholic beverages in a single session.
With an annual per-head ethanol consumption of 3.13 gallons, Vermont is ranked among the States that Consume the Most Alcohol per Capita.
1. Massachusetts
Prevalence of Underage Drinking: 23.23%
Alcohol abuse costs Massachusetts at least $5.6 billion annually, while causing thousands of deaths and illnesses, according to a new analysis from Boston University researchers. Underage drinking alone cost the citizens of the Bay State $1.4 billion in 2010, yet revenues from alcohol-specific taxes fall far short of repaying these costs.
With an underage drinking prevalence of 23.23%, Massachusetts is the State with the Highest Rate of Underage Drinking in the US.
If you want to read about which other states had the highest rate of minors drinking alcohol, here is our complete list of the 20 States with the Most Underage Drinking in the US.
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