Drug & Alcohol Abuse
Youth abuse alcohol and marijuana
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Overview
Called Vermont’s greatest health challenge by leaders in the field, alarmingly high use of alcohol and marijuana threatens not only the health, but also the self-esteem, behavior, employability and general well-being of Vermont’s future adults.
- Vermont ranks highest in the nation for illicit drug dependence or abuse in the past year in both the 12 to 17 and 18 to 25 age groups.
- Twenty-two percent of Vermonters aged 12 to 17 drank alcohol in the last 30 days, ranking the state fourth in the nation for this behavior. Seventy-three percent of Vermont residents aged 18 to 25 drank alcohol in the last 30 days, ranking the state number one in the nation for this behavior. Underage drinking occurs at the highest rates in Caledonia and Rutland counties.
- Alcohol was a major factor in 56% of all motor vehicle deaths involving people between ages 15 and 20, ranking Vermont the highest in the nation. And in 2005, 22% of the state’s students, grades 8 to 12, reported riding with a driver who had been drinking.
Read more about student safety in Understanding Vermont or get a copy of the entire publication.