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News You Can Use
Underage drinking is costing Floridians $3 billion a yearTALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Each year, the economic impact in Florida of alcohol-related crime, traffic crashes, health care and other costs totals slightly more than $3 billion statewide.
Alcohol-attributable violent crime alone accounted for 49% or $1.5 billion million of the total underage drinking costs.
Traffic crashes were second, with an economic tab of $642.7 million for medical and emergency services, lost productivity, workplace and legal costs, property damage and other costs, according to Economic Costs of Underage Drinking in Florida, a new study released June 16 by the Florida Department of Children & Families.
Other economic impacts detailed in the county-by-county report included risky sexual behavior, $291.1 million; fetal alcohol syndrome, $75.4 million; medical and other costs for alcohol-related injuries, $202.5 million; suicides and suicide attempts, $48.3 million; and alcohol abuse treatment, $2.8 million.
Researchers also computed the overall costs per youth. These averaged $627 per person under the age of 21 and $1,818 per youth between the ages of 14 and 20. These costs were the result of approximately 180 youth deaths and 71,602 injuries and other events directly attributable to underage alcohol use.
For comparisons of differences in regional costs and other details, download the complete study.
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the Florida Department of Children & Families
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