The survey of 1,200 13- to 24-year-olds also found that teens and young adults are twice as likely to have sex with four or more partners than non-drinking teens. In addition, one out of four sexually active youths have unprotected sex because they've been drinking or using illicit drugs.

Overall, 29 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds and 37 percent of those aged 18 to 24 said alcohol or other drug use influenced their decision to do something sexual. In addition, 25 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds and 31 percent of those 18 to 24 said they have "done more" sexually than they planned because they were drinking or using drugs.

"If you believe in abstinence and the moral imperative for teens not to have intercourse until they get married, then they have got to understand the relationship between drinking and drugs and encourage them to avoid drinking and drugs," said Joseph Califano, president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. "If you believe sex is the inevitable rite of passage for teens, and you want them to have safe sex, then get through to them that drinking and drugging certainly will put them in situations where they will have unsafe sex."

The study was released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and will be the focus of a conference this week in New York.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.