WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- A 2003 study links teen delinquency and heavy drinking among Americans aged 12 to 17.
More than one-third of those surveyed reported consuming alcohol in the past year, according the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2003.
Youths who reported heavy alcohol use were the most likely to participate in delinquent behavior, according to the study. Less than 3 percent, 650,000, reported heavy alcohol use and nine million engaged in one delinquent behavior in the last month. Heavy alcohol use is defined as five or more drinks in a single setting at least five times in the past 30 days.
Of the heavy drinkers 41 percent reported fighting at school or work, 23 percent stole or tried to steal anything worth more than $50 and 38 percent engaged in group against group fighting.
"Heavy alcohol use among young people is not only illegal, it is linked to fighting, stealing, selling drugs and carrying a handgun," administrator Charles Curie said. "Parents must talk with their children about the dangers of underage alcohol use and be aware of the behaviors that often go hand in hand with abuse."
