Half of today's teens have tried alcohol by the time they are in eighth grade. This statistic becomes all the more troubling when you consider that adolescence is a time of poor impulse control, a time of independence-seeking and experimentation.
Additionally, many teens don't see alcohol as a problem substance like other illegal drugs since it is woven into the fabric of our culture. Teens may see bottles of wine at home, consume wine with communion, watch beer commercials during the Super Bowl, flip though an enticing drink menu at a restaurant, or hear stories of weekend parties at school. It's not surprising that many want to try it for themselves. It's new and risky but socially acceptable.
Of course, it can also be dangerous when you factor in teen deaths as the result of motor vehicle accidents, the temptation to participate in unprotected sexual activity while drunk, and the fact that alcohol can be a gateway drug to even more dangerous substances.
Clearly, underage drinking isn't just a spiritual or moral issue, it's a safety issue. And the consensus among prevention specialists is that the best way to head off teen alcohol abuse is to talk to your child, not just about alcohol, but about his or her life.
This study will help you do just that. It includes tips on discussing alcohol use with your teen as well as reflection questions for parents and discussion questions for groups.