Some understand but are convinced they won't get caught and it won't hurt them. Others don't care. The list of consequences is lengthy. Drinking impairs one's judgment, particularly while driving, responding to conflict, or making decisions. Unsafe behaviors affect the entire family, not just the person taking the risk.
Academic performance declines as drugs or other risky behaviors gain importance.
There are serious health risks right from the beginning. We now know that alcohol and other drug use changes the functioning of the brain. Underage drinking is illegal. No one knows who has the physiological predisposition to addiction. Addiction recovery becomes a lifelong process.