Age at First Alcoholic Drink

The average age at first alcoholic drink has increased slightly from 16.1 in 1984 to 16.2 in 2002, the most recent year for which information is available. This is the finding of data collected annually by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The survey was formerly called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.

Reference:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of Applied Statistics. Results of the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use & Health. Drug Abuse Statistics. Table 4.15A. Washington, DC: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Statistics. Accessed 3-14-04.