In 2006, Congress enacted the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act), Public Law 109-422. Among other provisions, the STOP Act calls for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit an annual Report to Congress on consequences of underage drinking and Federal and State policies to prevent and reduce it.
The most recent Report to Congress was issued in May 2011 and is available at http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA11-4645/SMA11-4645.pdf .
The Report features data on the nature and extent of underage drinking in the United States including the characteristics and serious consequences of underage drinking, a discussion of the long-term, coordinated approach adopted by the Federal government to address underage drinking, and a report on State policies that address underage drinking.
The policy section of the Report focuses on 17 legal policies intended to reduce underage drinking and its consequences. These include: