30 years ago: 1/3 of U.S. high school students found to be problem drinkers

On March 19, 1981 the Research Triangle Institute, which had conducted a study for the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Use and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reported that 1/3 of the nation’s high school students were problem drinkers, and that 13% more girls than boys were moderate drinkers and 14% more boys than girls were heavy drinkers. The problem drinker was defined as someone who was drunk at least six times per year or experienced alcohol-related problems with friends, family, school, the police, or while driving.