The average age when youth first try alcohol is 11 years for boys and 13 years for girls. Youth who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use other illicit drugs and 50 times more likely to use cocaine than young people who never drink.
Alcohol is the most socially accepted substance in our society and also one of the most abused.
It's legal for people over age 21 to drink, but we all know that most teen-agers are no strangers to alcohol. If you think your child hasn't tried alcohol, chances are you're wrong. Beer isn't that bad for him. Alcohol can be a very destructive substance. Excessive amounts of alcohol can impair judgment, provoke risky and violent behavior, and slow down reaction time.