Study shows most teens get alcohol from home

    Where would 709,000 American youth between ages 12 and 14 get alcohol? According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 93 percent of youth in this age group got alcohol for free the last time they drank. Moreover, over 44.8 percent of 12 to 14 year olds who reported drinking in the past month say they got the alcohol they drank for free from their home or from a family member.
    Many experts call alcohol the most dangerous drug. “People who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are six times more likely than those who start at age 21 and older to develop alcohol problems. Parents and other adults need to be aware that providing alcohol to children can expose them to an increased risk for alcohol abuse and set them on a path with increased potential for addiction,” said SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.
    Parents and family members, including older siblings and friends, play an essential role in keeping youth alcohol free. Preventing access can be as simple as not keeping alcohol in the house. If you choose to keep alcohol, reduce your teen’s chances of using without your knowledge by keeping track of your supply or storing alcohol in a locked cabinet. Most importantly, get involved and stay involved in your child’s life.
    To learn more about reducing underage alcohol use, visit www.MaineParents.net.
    This article has been brought to you by ASAP Coalition and the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse (MAPSA).