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Alcohol Underage drinking

Many parents avoid discussions about underage drinking. Some deny that their child may be drinking. Others resist examining their own alcohol use.

When kids "party" - no matter where - they're vulnerable. They binge and get sick. They fall and get injured. They make decisions about sex they would never make sober.

It's smart to encourage children to delay the use of alcohol. It keeps them safer - physically and emotionally. Kids who drink before age 15 are much more likely to abuse alcohol later in life than those who wait until they're 21.

"In our culture, children are surrounded by messages that encourage them to drink," Dr. Brian Johnson says. "So our conversations with them need to be ongoing."

Effective communication is key to raising healthy kids.

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	Discussion activity How drinking may affect my goals.

Alcohol   Drinking and sexual risks
Alcohol   A community takes action
Alcohol   Schools take action
Tobacco   Smokeless tobacco
Drugs   Prescription drugs

Read more issues >

	Words Can Work: When Talking About Alcohol - Booklet Young people and parents tell how they discuss underage drinking.
	Alcohol: True Stories Hosted by Matt Damon - DVD Young people tell their powerful stories about drinking and driving, addiction, and avoiding alcohol use.
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