Data

Below is our 2018 data related to our underage drinking prevention initiatives.

30 Day Alcohol Use

This indicator shows the percentage of students in the Gwinnett County Public School System who had an alcoholic drink in the past 30 days. The data is collected during the GA DOE’s Student Health Survey where students indicate whether they had an alcoholic drink 0-30 days in the past 30 days. All answers reporting 1-30 days is the total percent indicated above.

The percentage of students who drink alcohol is an indicator of overall health and norms of the community. Alcohol is a gateway drug, meaning it tends to lead to other drug use. Alcohol damages the developing adolescent human brain. The brain matures between 23-25 years of age. Drinking alcohol leads to risky behaviors, such as poorer academic performance and increases the risk of developing alcoholism as an adult.

Perception of Harm/Risk, Drinking 5 or More Drinks Once or Twice a Week

This indicator shows the percentage of students in the Gwinnett County Public School System who think people risk harming themselves, physically and in other ways, if they had 5 or more drinks of an alcoholic beverage once or twice a week. The data is collected during the GA DOE’s Student Health Survey where students indicate whether they think people risk harming themselves (slight risk, moderate risk and great risk). All answers reporting these risk types  is the total percent indicated above.

If perception of harm/risk is low, alcohol usage tends to be higher. When usage is higher, more risky behaviors occur due to the effect of alcohol on decision making, judgement, reaction time and coordination. Underage drinking places teens at a higher risk for academic failure, depression, suicide, sexual assault, teen pregnancy and other substance abuse.  Young drinkers are also more likely to develop alcohol dependence.

Perception of Parent/Adult Disapproval, Having 1 or 2 Drinks of Alcohol Nearly Everyday

This indicator shows the percentage of students in the Gwinnett County Public School System who think parents/adults would feel it would be wrong for them to have one or two drinks of alcohol nearly everyday. The data is collected during the GA DOE’s Student Health Survey where students indicate whether they think parents/adults would feel it wrong (a little bit wrong, wrong and very wrong). All answers reporting these levels of wrong  is the total percent indicated above.

If perception of parent/adult disapproval is low, alcohol usage tends to be higher. Parents are the number one influence in a teen’s decision not to drink. When parents and adults provide alcohol or allow underage drinking, it actually results in: more drinking outside the home, more alcohol related problems and more involvement in other high risk behaviors.