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What does
recent research data show about underage drinking in Maryland?
In 1998 the Maryland Department of Education conducted the Maryland
Adolescent Survey (MAS), surveying students from grades 6, 8, 10, and
12. Among 12th graders in 2002, 44 percent of students consumed at least
one drink in the previous 30 days, compared to 48 percent in 2001, and
52 percent in 1996. Current use of alcohol decreased among 10th grade
students from 43 percent in 1996 to 42 percent in 1998 to 35 percent
in 2002. Eighth grade current alcohol rates decreased from 27 in 1996
percent to 26 percent in 1998 to 16 percent in 2002.
There were few differences between male and female students’ rates
of drinking in 2002. The only significant difference was between 12th
grade male and female students who claimed they were frequent drinkers
(drank alcohol between three and six occasions in the previous month);
57 percent of males said they were frequent liquor drinkers and 56 percent
of males said they were frequent beer/wine/wine cooler drinkers, compared
to 43 and 44 percent of females. However, females were more likely than
males to report occasional use of beer/wine and liquor (56 percent versus
44 percent).
The Maryland Adolescent Survey data showed that alcohol rates in Maryland
differed by both ethnic group and alcoholic beverage. Hispanic students
were most likely to report some consumption of beer in the previous month
(31 percent), followed by Caucasian and Asian students (both 30 percent),
and lastly African-American students (26 percent). However, Caucasian
students were more likely to report frequent use of beer/wine than non-white
students. Asian students were more likely to report consumption of liquor
(33 percent versus 30 percent for Caucasians and African-Americans and
20 percent for Hispanic students), though Caucasians and African-Americans
were more likely to report frequent use of liquor.
Source: Maryland Adolescent Survey (MAS). Maryland Department of Education.
http://www.msde.state.md.us/pdf_files/Final%202002%20MAS%20Report.pdf
Other Related Resources:
Underage drinking rates by State:
Please contact the Northeast CAPT at capt@edc.org
for more information.
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