Alcohol While teens today may be using less alcohol than in the past, teens drinking alcohol remains a big problem. Alcohol is still the number one drug of choice for pre-teens and teens. Across the country, more than four out of ten (43.3%) of high school students reported current alcohol use. 89 And young teens face a great risk too. One in four (25.6%) high school students reported drinking alcohol for the first time before age 13. 90 Drinking alcohol leads to lots of problems. It is against the law for young people to drink alcohol. People can make bad decisions when they are drinking. Among currently sexually active high school students, just under one in four (23.3%) had drunk alcohol or used drugs just before their last sexual intercourse. 91 Across the country, about three out of ten (28.5%) of high school students had ridden in a car or other vehicle at least once with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. 92 As with every other dangerous activity, your children, pre-teen, or teen need to know your values and expectations. Last revised: April 21, 2008 | 
