To them the word alcoholic makes them think of a malnourished person who lives on the street. Many young people live in families where the use of alcohol is a part of normal life. Many parents who are drinkers themselves look past teenage drinking. They see drinking as a normal activity and part of growing up. They are more likely to follow in their parent's footsteps.
Few parents encourage their child to drink, but few see nothing wrong with occasionally drinking.
Some parents are relieved when teens drink rather than smoke pot or do other drugs. Only when adults start regarding alcohol as a toxic drug can an effective alcohol education program for America's youth begin. Getting alcohol is easy. Kids can drink their parents supply, they get an older friend to get it, buy a fake driver's licensee, or go somewhere that doesn't check ID's. The younger a child starts drinking the greater the risk of becoming dependent.