Arizona leads nation in youth-alcohol use

PHOENIX — Arizona leads the nation in youth-alcohol use and binge drinking, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.

The survey, “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance,” revealed Arizona high schools ranked at the top for alcohol consumption and binge drinking, and No. 2 for cocaine use drinking alcohol on school property.

Arizona was among the top seven states for drug use by youth in the following categories:

• Marijuana use, on and off school grounds

• Use of inhalants

• Heroin use

• Methamphetamines use

• Use of steroids without a prescription

The CDC study mentioned several reasons for Arizona’s high ranking, including ease of access to parents’ illegal or prescription drugs and proximity to the Mexico border, where there are high volumes of documented drug trafficking.

The full study can be found here.