The NH Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results released in December showing a continuing trend of decreases in the proportion of high school students who report they ever had a drink of alcohol. The 1993 (earliest available) rate of 80% “lifetime drinking” has declined steadily to a rate in 2009 of 68%. Even more promising, fewer students report having their first drink before age 13. That rate has been cut in half since 1993, to just under 15% today. 

“Current” (past 30 day) and “binge” (5 or more drinks in a couple of hours) drinking rates have not seem the same steady progress, but both the rates did drop between 2007 and 2009, a period of increased investment in and attention to this topic in New Hampshire. Can we pinpoint one reason for the decline? No. Instead, between Recommendations for Success: New Hampshire’s Strategy to Reduce Underage Alcohol Problems, grants for Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws, Underage Drinking Town Hall Meetings, the Strategic Prevention Framework, and STOP Act grants, we can share the credit. Congratulations to the many agencies, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the safety and health of our youth!

Progress of course does not mean we are done. Now, is not the time to rest. It is the time to carefully evaluate our efforts and continue with effective strategies.
http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/instruction/HealthHIVAIDS/youthrisk.htm