Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug in the United States. Every year, excessive drinking causes more than 3,900 deaths and 225,000 years of potential life lost among people under age 21.

Behind every statistic is a friend, a teammate, a classmate, or a family member whose future was changed forever.

The Truth About Alcohol

Underage and excessive drinking can lead to:

• Impaired judgment and risky decisions
• Car crashes and serious injuries
• Violence and unsafe situations
• Alcohol poisoning
• Academic and personal struggles
• Long-term physical and mental health effects

Many people think alcohol-related harm “won’t happen to me.” The reality is that one bad decision can have lifelong consequences.