Welcome to the 25th anniversary of Alcohol Awareness Month. Since 1987 the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has sponsored this event every April in order to raise awareness of alcohol issues and reduce the stigma for those struggling with dependence and seeking help for their issues. This year’s theme is “Healthy Choices, Healthy Communities: Prevent Underage Drinking.”
It is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under age 21, yet:
- 10% of 9- to 10-year-olds have started drinking
- Nearly 1/3 of kids in the U.S. begin drinking before age 13
- Youth that experiment with alcohol before age 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol dependent as adults than those that wait until age 21
It is important that youth receive consistent and persistent messages from adults (yes, parents are the most influential adults in a child’s life) about underage drinking. Not only does underage alcohol consumption lead to changes in brain development, social/legal problems, and higher risk of suicide, but it is illegal.
Alcohol Awareness Month can be a great opportunity to start the conversation with your own kids about the risks of underage drinking.
For more information, visit the Alcohol Facts sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or The Century Council, which has comprehensive resources focused on the issue of underage drinking as well as tips on how to talk to kids.
