The number of people engaged in binge drinking and underage drinking has significantly decreased in the past 11 years, a new study says.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the findings of its study that aims to measure the number of underage people in America involved in drinking alcohol.

In a survey of 67,500 Americans aged 12 years and older, researchers discovered that between the years 2002 and 2013, the number of underage people who drink dropped from 28.8 percent to 22.7 percent, while those who binge drink fell from 19.3 percent to 14.2 percent.

Despite the noticeable decrease in rates of underage drinkers and binge drinkers, the researchers noted that alcohol (22.7 percent) remains the top substance used by youths between the ages of 12 to 20 years old. The other two substances shown in the study are tobacco (16.9 percent) and illegal drugs (13.6 percent).

Director Frances M. Harding of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the SAMHSA said that when parents are able to communicate expectations clearly to their child, and they are given proper support by the community, they can help stop underage drinking.

She pointed out that there are about 8.7 million underage drinkers in the country and around 5.4 million underage people who engage in binge drinking. These alarming figures pose a serious threat not only to the health and future of these youths, but to the well-being and safety of the people around them as well.

Harding also urged people to do everything they can to stop the spread of underage drinking and allow young people involved in the practice to receive the treatment that they need.

The SAMHSA has initiated several programs that are geared toward preventing underage drinking. These include the Talk, They Hear You campaign that helps promote better communication between parents and their child in order to discourage them from drinking at a young age.

The campaign features a free smartphone app that has an interactive simulation prepares parents for what the SAMHSA considers "one of the most important conversations they may ever have with their children."

The app lets parents practice discussing the issue of alcohol use. It also teaches them how to ask relevant questions and provides them with tips on how to keep the conversation between them and their child going.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study is featured in the journal Clinical Pediatrics.

Photo: Martin Garrido | Flickr