Problems and Costs Associated with Underage Drinking in the United States

Underage drinking cost the citizens of the U.S. $68.0 billion in 2007. These costs consist of medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by minors. This totals to a cost of $2,280 per year for each minor in the State. Excluding pain and suffering from these costs, the direct costs of underage drinking ocurred through medical care and loss of work cost the U.S. $22.3 billion each year. Youth violence (homicide, suicide, aggravated assault) and traffic crashes contribute to alcohol use by underage minors in the United States represent the largest costs for the State. Among teen mothers, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) alone costs the United States $1,227 million.