Teenage Alcohol Use


Understanding the Dangers of Teenage Alcohol Use


  • More than half of American youths ages 12 to 20 have tried alcohol.
  • Girls are nearly as likely as boys to experiment with drinking.
  • Underage and binge drinking is risky and can lead to car accidents, violent behavior, alcohol poisoning, and other health problems.
  • Drinking at a young age greatly increases the risk of developing alcohol problems later in life.
  • Talking to kids early and openly about the risks of drinking can help reduce their chances of becoming problem drinkers.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services Office of Youth and Young Adult Services

Office of Youth and Young Adult Services (OYYAS) OYYAS staff design, implement, and oversee programs, policies, and initiatives that are created by the Bureau to address substance abuse issues among youth and young adults. Responsibilities include: building and maintaining system capacity across the continuum of care, providing effective, accessible, and affordable substance abuse treatment for youth and their families, which utilize evidenced based practices, are youth focused, inclusive of family and caregiver involvement, in coordination with other state agencies and youth service providers.

The directory link below lists programs that are licensed and/or receive funding through the MDPH/BSAS.

Massachusetts Youth & Young Adult Substance Abuse Services Directory