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According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, children start to think differently about alcohol between the ages of 9 and 13. Many children begin to think underage drinking is OK and some even start to experiment. Over 70% of children say parents are the leading influence in their decision to drink or not. It's never too early to talk to your children about alcohol, and encourage them to talk with you.
In our communities, 91% of middle school students and 75% of high school students report that their family has clear rules about alcohol and drug use. However, just over 1/3 of middle and high school students (36% and 34% respectively) say that their parents either didn't talk or they don't remember their parents talking with them about not using alcohol.*
*Data from the 2010 Illinois Youth Survey. Middle school data = 6th and 8th grade survey information. High school data = 10th and 12th grade information. |
| Here is what we know... |
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The teenage brain is still developing. The areas of the brain that encourage risk-taking develop early in a teen, while the areas that improve self-control don't develop until the later teens or early twenties. Alcohol use can cause serious damage to the still developing parts of the brain that control motor coordination, impulse control, memory, judgment, and decision-making capacity. These impairments can create a false sense of security and feelings of invincibility when teens engage in risky behaviors, such as drinking and/or drug use. Consider these facts:
- Teens who drink are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors and physical violence.
- Teens who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use any illicit drug, more that 22 times more likely to use marijuana, and 50 times more likely to use cocaine.
- 40% of all alcohol-related fatalities are caused by teens drinking and driving.
- Teens who begin drinking at age 13 have a 45 percent chance of becoming alcohol dependent, while those who delay drinking until age 21 only have a 7 percent chance.
For more information on this topic, click here.
Remember, you are the most important influence in your child's life. Talk early and talk often to your kids about the risks of alcohol use and set clear rules and expectations. For more tips and helpful strategies, visit The Partnership at Drugfree.org. |
