Start Talking Before They Start Drinking

Many parents view underage drinking as a problem that starts in high school. Sadly, this is not the case.  The average Oregon, Ohio area youth has his/her first sip of alcohol at the age of 12. Research shows that kids who drink before the age of 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol problems than those who start at 21¹. Furthermore, every year of delayed onset of drinking decreases the probability of alcohol dependence by 14%². So Start Talking Before They Start Drinking. Support your children’s future - keep them alcohol free.

For talking tips and other parent resources, please visit our parent page or visit our resource page to download a copy of the “Start Talking Before They Start Drinking” Family Guide.

¹The NSDUH Report, 10/22/04.

²Spear, L.P., The adolescent brain and age-related behavioral manifestations, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 24 (2000) 417-463.