A new study finds nearly 45 percent of Nebraskans ages 19 to 25 report binge drinking in the past month.
The youth alcohol study was done by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. A CDC report says 22.3 percent of Nebraskans reported binge drinking in the past month, one of the highest rates in the nation. In the DHHS report, 32 percent of 19 to 20 year old women and 34 percent of men in the same age group reported binge drinking.
Scot Adams, director of DHHS’ Division of Behavioral Health, says they're concerned by the findings.
"We are concerned about that not only for the physical health aspects of it, but also for some of the behaviors that can become dangerous, driving comes to mind, or sexual activities come to mind as well."
The report covers 2010 to 2013. 3,468 young adults responded to the survey.
Adams says the results will be given to the Unicameral and local coalitions that work to address underage drinking. Those groups, in turn, will decide what actions to take based on the report.