TEEN DRINKING — SOUTH CENTRAL STATES

According to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation costs to states generated by underage drinking include medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems caused by the use of alcohol by youth. Following is a breakdown of how South Central states shape up in terms of the cost of underage drinking:

• Arkansas – Arkansas ranks 8th among the 50 states for the cost per youth as a result of underage drinking — about $2,507 per year per underage individual in Arkansas; the total cost was $687 million in 2005. It is estimated that the direct cost of underage drinking due to medical care and loss of work alone in Arkansas totals $234 million each year. In 2005, underage drinkers consumed 20.1 percent of all alcohol sold in Arkansas, totaling $168 million in sales.
• Louisiana – Louisiana ranks 20th among the 50 states for the cost per youth as a result of underage drinking — about $2,241 per year per underage individual in Louisiana; the total cost was $1.1 billion in 2005. It is estimated that the direct cost of underage drinking due to medical care and loss of work alone in Louisiana totals $400 million each year. In 2005, underage drinkers consumed 14.7 percent of all alcohol sold in Louisiana, totaling $305 million in sales.
• Oklahoma – Oklahoma ranks 27th among the 50 states for the cost per youth as a result of underage drinking, drinking — about $2,146 per year per underage individual in Oklahoma; the total cost was $778 million in 2005. It is estimated that the direct cost of underage drinking due to medical care and loss of work alone in Oklahoma totals $272 million each year. In 2005, underage drinkers consumed 16.4 percent of all alcohol sold in Oklahoma, totaling $200 million in sales.
• Texas – Texas ranks 22nd among the 50 states for the cost per youth as a result of underage drinking — about $2,209 per year per underage individual in Texas; the total cost was $5.2 billion in 2005. It is estimated that the direct cost of underage drinking due to medical care and loss of work alone in Texas total $1.7 billion each year. In 2005, underage drinkers consumed 20.3 percent of all alcohol sold in Texas, totaling $1.7 billion in sales.

Source: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation; www.pire.org