Less than one-half (41.2%) of 12thgraders reported drinking at least one sip of alcohol in the past month in 2010, compared to the peak prevalence of 72.1% in 1978.
Past month prevalence rates among 8th(13.8%) and 10th(28.9%) graders are also at the lowest levels since these grades were first included in the study in 1991 (see figure below).
In addition, binge drinking—drinking five or more drinks in a row at least once in the two weeks prior to the survey—also continues to decrease in all three grades (data not shown). For example, 23.2% of 12thgraders reported binge drinking in 2010, compared to the peak of 41.4% in 1981.
Read Full Article (PDF)