Children and Young People

Early Onset of Drinking (Early First Drink of Alcohol) and Later Problems

Early onset age of drinking alcohol does not cause later alcohol-related problems, dependence, or alcoholism according to scientific medical research findings.

Newest Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program, "Take Charge of Your Life," Is Ineffective and Counterproductive

New Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, Take Charge of Your Life, ineffective and counterproductive; increases alcohol consumption and cigarette use, evaluation study reports.

Official UK Government Guidelines on Drinking Under the Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 18

The British government has published official government advice for young people and their parents about drinking alcohol. See what is recommended.

Drinking Alcohol to Defy Adult Authority

Teaching alcohol abstinence-only is ineffective; most young people drink. We can teach abstinence while at the same time teaching students how those age 21 and above can reduce risks that can be associated with alcohol consumption (harm reduction). This prepares them for adulthood while at the same time providing potentially life-saving information for those who choose to drink before age 21.

Intoxication Rates Increase but Not Alcohol-Related Problems among School Students in Norway

While intoxication increased, alcohol-related problems such as aggressive behaviors did not among Norwegian school youths age 16 - 19 reports research on rates and trends over a ten year period.

Age at First Alcoholic Drink and Later Alcohol-Related Problems

Research does not indicate that preventing children or young people from drinking alcohol at an early age (early onset of drinking) reduces later alcohol-related problems, alcoholism, or alcohol dependence. Correlations found do not prove causality; causes appear to be impulsivity, sensation-seeking, disinhibition and other personality predisposing factors.

DARE Still Fails to Reduce Alcohol and Drug Abuse

The “New DARE” program (Take Charge of Your Life) produced for Drug Abuse Resistance Education appears to be completely ineffective as have all previous curricula used by D.A.R.E.

Tapping into Americans' Drinking Problem

Virtually all countries except the U.S. permit persons under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in moderation, both by law and custom. Prohibition against all drinking under age 21 infantilizes young people so that they often binge, as did adults during national prohibition. Failing to distinguish between moderate and immoderate drinking reflects our conflicted cultural attitudes toward alcoholic beverages and contributes to the problem of alcohol abuse.

Most Parents Know Extent of Their Teenager’s Alcohol Drinking

Most parents accurately perceive whether or not their children and teens are consuming alcoholic beverages, contrary to a common myth or stereotype, according to research at the Research Institute on Addictions at the University of Buffalo.

Drinking Alcohol Drops among Preteens

Drinking alcohol by preadolescents or preteens has declined significantly over time in the U.S. according to national and state surveys, dropping about 50% in 14 years.

A Toast to the Family

Alcohol expert Stanton Peele urges parents to model responsible drinking and to teach their children at home how to drink in moderation in order to reduce alcohol-related problems, a position supported by evidence from scientific research studies.

Parents, Children, and Drinking Alcohol at Home

Many parents serve their own children alcohol at home to teach them drinking in moderation and reduce alcohol-related problems such as traffic crashes, which is legal in most states of U.S. Research has demonstrated that teens who drink with their parents are less likely to experience alcohol-related problems.

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