A substantial proportion of high school students consume alcohol, with nearly a quarter of 12th grade students reporting binge drinking in the past two weeks. Drinking alcohol in adolescence is associated with a variety of other risky behaviors, as well as with an increased likelihood of long-term problems reaching into adulthood. This "Adolescent Health Highlight" summarizes key research findings about adolescent alcohol consumption; describes prevalence and trends; illustrates connections between behaviors and health outcomes; and discusses issues specific to particular adolescent populations. Fast facts about alcohol use include: (1) More adolescents drink alcohol than smoke cigarettes or use marijuana, combined; (2) Forty percent of high school seniors reported drinking some alcohol within the past 30 days; (3) In addition, 22 percent of high school seniors reported that they had engaged in "binge drinking" in the past two weeks; (4) Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for adolescents, and are the most prevalent cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. In 2010, about one in five young drivers (ages 16-20) involved in fatal crashes had been driving while alcohol-impaired; and (5) Certain groups of adolescents are most at risk for abusing alcohol: males, those who begin drinking at an early age, those who have a family history of alcohol abuse, and those who have experienced exceptional stress. (Contains 3 figures and 5 resources.)