Newsletter Reprint

When one third of American adolescents readily admit to being intoxicated in the past ninety Wdays, there can be no doubt that alcohol continues to be the most popular drug among teens. This trend has its beginnings in very early adolescence: thirteen percent of fifth graders say they have used alcohol at least once to get intoxicated. The increase in these numbers is startling: 39% of 7th and 8th graders, 56% of 9th and 10th graders and a whopping 75% of 11th and 12th graders have used alcohol in the past six months for the purpose of intoxication. Adolescents have remarkable access to beer, wine coolers and "hard liquor". Seven out of ten minors are able to purchase alcohol themselves. Fake ID cards are realistic and readily available. Older teens and adults are often willing to provide alcohol to minors. Parents are often unwittingly providing alcohol at home: raiding the household liquor cabinet is a common activity for some teens.

Much has changed in the alcohol market: new alcoholic beverage products such as "Zima", "Breezers" and "Cisco" are sweet or fruity tasting, and marketing strategies target young people. "Jell-O Shots" have become popular at parties: flavored gelatin is made with vodka and water and allowed to set, then is cut into cubes, roughly equivalent to a shot glass of liquor. Unsuspecting parents may assume the Jell-O is a harmless snack, right up there with pretzels and potato chips. Many parents don't consider alcohol a drug, so they are not as worried about it as they should be. Adults need to understand the impact of alcohol on the underdeveloped adolescent nervous system. A "red flag' should go up for parents and other adults who find themselves minimizing children's behavior by thinking or saying things like, 'as long as he's not doing drugs"; "it's OK if she drinks in the house"; and "kids will be kids". This reinforces that alcohol is merely a social drug, and therefore low risk. Nearly every weekend, a fatality involving alcohol and teens tells us otherwise. Also, adults need to be aware of the dangerous impact of mixing alcohol with other drugs such as marijuana.

We must remember that in the same way we climb a mountain one step at a time, we can begin to work in our own families, which will contribute to the movement toward a drug-free neighborhood, county, state, country, and world.*

*Reprinted from Update on Current Drugs of Abuse by Mike Nerney (2000).

BRIDGES has recently implemented several programs to help parents deal with the issue of alcohol use by youngsters and teens. The BRIDGES website, www. bridges-mccasa.org, has updated information and strategies for parents. Also, parents can call the Council office for confidential services.

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