It is clear since 1996 there has been a general reduction in the number of students who have ever used alcohol at each grade level each year.  However, as student’s progress in grade there is a general increase in the number of students who have used alcohol (especially between the sixth and the eighth grade).  This jump occurs despite the fact that alcohol purchases by students in these age groups is illegal.  Consequently, it is clear that the youth in these age groups are getting alcohol from other sources.  Interventions should be stopped targeted at those sources if behavior changes and use rate decreases are to occur.

It is also clear from the data that alcohol is the most widely reported drug of abuse by all age groups.  Further, the difference between alcohol and any other illicit drug is remarkable, especially between the 18 to 25-year-old group and the 26 and older group.  Remarkably, the major focus of all treatment publicity is currently on other illicit drugs while alcohol remains the greatest drug of abuse.

Another aspect is that although who's been a slight reduction during the past fiscal year, there has been a 3% increase in the alcohol abuse rate since 1998 for 12 to 17 and greater than 26 year olds.  More alarming is the fact that there was a 10% increase in abuse rates for individuals between 18 and 25-year-old during the same period.  In general, the data indicate that many people are abusing alcohol and other drugs despite the major publicity and prevention efforts that have been undertaken.