Australian Government data shows that underage drinking and misuse has been continuing a dramatic decline. More needs to be done, but clearly Australia is tracking in the right direction…
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 82% of 12-17 year olds in Australia do not drink any alcohol at all.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016, September 2017.
This latest result of 82% abstinence among teenagers confirms a long-term trend of continuous improvement, up from 54.3% in 2004.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016, September 2017.
Further, that those aged 12-17 drinking at lifetime risky patterns has fallen from 6.4% in 2004 to 1.3% in 2016.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016, September 2017.
And that those aged 12-17 at risk of drinking harm on a single occasion has fallen from 17.2% in 2004 to 5.4% in 2016.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016, September 2017.
What is clear is that underage drinking is in consistent long-term decline in Australia and the age of initiation (having a first drink) continues to increase. Of the 18% of teens who tried alcohol, the age of first drink has moved up from 14.7 years 2004 to 16.1 years in 2016.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016, September 2017.
The table below details the decline in teen drinking patterns over 2004 to 2016.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2016, September 2017.