Dangerous Binge Drinking by Young People on the Rise in Louisiana

Binge drinking continues to be a problem across the world and the numbers in Louisiana are escalating.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says binge drinking increased among the young. This is not just a problem in the United States. The 34-nation OECD says the average annual alcohol consumption in its member countries fell 2.5 percent over the past 20 years, to 9.1 liters of pure alcohol per capita.

But, that trend hides a dangerous increase in hazardous drinking by teenagers. This increase is also causing other problems. Harmful consumption of alcohol now accounts for a higher proportion of deaths worldwide than HIV/AIDS, violence and tuberculosis combined, according to the report.

If you break down the numbers in Louisiana, we are near the bottom of the pack in the United States in addressing this problem. Alcohol is still the clear number one substance of choice by Louisiana youth. The stats are frightening. 65% of 10th graders and 74% of 12th graders use alchohol.

Numbers from 2012 show that 87 people between the ages of 12 and 20 were admitted for alcohol treatment in Louisiana. That accounts for 2% of all treatment admissions for alcohol abuse in the bayou state.  The report says young people who start drinking before turning 15 are four times more likely to develop a problem with alcohol.