Prevent Underage Drinking

Congratulations on starting the conversation. It is not easy to talk to our children about the hazards of drinking especially when drinking is ubiquitous in our culture. The prevalence of problematic alcohol use continues to escalate from adolescence into young adulthood. Research indicates that brain development continues into early adulthood and alcohol consumption can interfere with such development, “underscoring concerns that alcohol use by youth is an even greater pediatric health concern than previously thought.” Talk to your children about the dangers of underage drinking. The best way to prevent underage drinking is to start talking with your child about it, early and often.