MORRISVILLE – On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a set of new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These updated guidelines leave out some important recommendations and information included in previous versions, including any mention or guidance on alcohol consumption by people under 21. In fact, youth are a significant population group that should completely avoid alcohol for health and wellbeing, as well as being legally restricted from drinking.
Alcohol remains the most used drug among people under 21 in the United States. Alcohol use is a common element of Vermont life, it is also the adult use substance that youth are most likely to encounter first in their homes, their friends’ homes, in school and at social events. Across all age groups, Vermonters drink alcohol more frequently than the national average, 59% Vt. vs. 51% nationally, according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Among Caledonia County high school students, 42% report drinking alcohol during their lifetime, according to the 2023 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey. And 53% of Caledonia County high school students don’t think it is wrong or very wrong for someone their age to drink alcohol.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), alcohol use during adolescence is associated with anxiety and depression for teens and can increase the likelihood of individuals developing alcohol dependence later in life. The earlier youth start drinking alcohol, the more significant the impact on their brain functions, including memory and school performance. These impacts can continue well into adulthood.
Youth who drink are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including impaired driving, and more likely to experience serious social, academic, psychological and legal consequences. The Vermont Department of Health reports that the number of alcohol-attributable deaths has been continuing to increase overall, as much as 36% between 2017 and 2021. Alcohol use also increases the likelihood of violence, including sexual harm. Simply put, alcohol use among youth is far from harmless.
Along with my role as coalition coordinator of Healthy Lamoille Valley, I also serve on the Regional Coordination Team for the Northeastern Vermont Prevention Consortium, a substance-misuse-prevention group housed within NVRH’s Substance Misuse Prevention Services program. The consortium works to build up community resources for action and fund prevention efforts across the St. Johnsbury, Newport, and Morrisville Health Districts as one of four state Prevention Lead Programs created by the Vermont Department of Health. You can learn more about how the Northeast Vermont Prevention Consortium helps to fund the work of Healthy Lamoille Valley and other community-run programs in addressing underage alcohol use and other ways to make our community healthy and supportive for youth at nvrh.org/substance-misuse-prevention-services.
While you may not have time to come to Healthy Lamoille Valley’s monthly coalition meetings, every community member can take action right now during Alcohol Awareness Month. Start conversations with the young people in your life about the real risks of alcohol use. Set clear expectations and follow through by modeling responsible behavior. Don’t make excuses for mistakes, instead believe that youth deserve a community that takes their health and safety seriously. The “Talk. They Hear You” app developed by SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a great resource available for free on the App Store, Google Play, and the Microsoft Store. This interactive app helps prepare parents and caregivers to support youth through everyday conversations about alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and school-related issues.
