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ALCOHOL REMAINS DRUG OF CHOICE FOR VALLEY TEENS
Alcohol remains the leading drug problem among our nation's youth and is the drug of choice for young people, with earlier and earlier initiation of consumption, not uncommonly found in children as young as 11 or 12 years of age.  In the Valley, recent alcohol and substance abuse surveys report little or no reductions in alcohol use among 11th and 12th graders and an alarming equity among male and female student drinking rates, where nationally, female students have reported lower drinking rates than males. 

Because of these frightening facts, The Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) continues to prioritize the fight against underage drinking in the Valley...

CT is a member of the "Fatal 15" - the group of states with the nation's highest rates of alcohol-related deadly crashes.  Learn about new anti-drinking legislation aimed at toughening underage drinking laws.

Should Connecticut lower the legal drinking age from 21 to 18?  The question has been raised by a number of college presidents who state that drinking, especially binge-drinking, is rampant on college campuses.  The president of Trinity College said the current drinking age “is counter-productive because it simply fosters this counterculture of binge drinking, which is epidemic at colleges”. They believe the law is unenforceable and basically the reason for the under age drinking problem. 

College presidents also write: “Adults under 21 are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but are told they are not mature enough to have a beer.”  Are they saying that all the 21-year- olds who are now abusing alcohol will suddenly become more mature and thoughtful if the drinking age is lowered to 18?
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