A recent report released by the Drug Abuse Warning Network has claimed that the emergency departments in the hospitals have witnessed an 11% rise in the number of underage drinkers’ visits during the Memorial Day weekend.
It added that every weekend the emergency rooms are flooded with patients aged below 21 years who come with alcohol or drug related problems.
On an average, every day, nearly 199 youngsters visit the emergency wards, said the report.
The report has been developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.
An administrator for SAMHSA, Pamela S. Hyde, said that the recent issue has aroused a public health risk. This will inspire other youngsters also to get involved into drinking. 
"Underage drinking poses an enormous public health risk -- approximately 5,000 people die each year from alcohol-related injuries connected to underage drinking", he quoted.
As per the data provided by the agency, nearly 5,000 deaths occur every year due to underage drinking.
The administer further said that these kids who indulge into drinking at the age of 15 years are 6 times more likely to develop a drinking problem as they grow to 21 years of age.