Alcohol Facts
In the United States, a standard drink is one that contains 0.6 ounces (13.7 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Generally this amount of pure alcohol is found in:
- 1.5-ounces or a "shot" of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor
- 5-ounces of wine
- 8-ounces of malt liquor
- 12-ounces of beer
Underage Drinking
Underage drinking is a leading health concern in the United States, with more than 10 million children drinking each year. More young people consume alcohol than tobacco or illicit drugs, which often leads to deadly consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking each year:
- 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes
- 1,600 homicides
- 300 suicides
- Hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns and drownings
Did you know?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is linked to 79,000 deaths per year, 5,000 deaths of people under age 21 and hundreds of injuries such as falls and burns.
Last Modified:May 10, 2011
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