This greatly increases risk of injury or death due to alcohol poisoning. In addition, teens are in fact more likely to drink and drive when they are drunk, or to ride with another teen who has been drinking. Kids typically begin using alcohol around the age of 13, long before their minds and bodies are mature enough to handle the effects of a powerful and addicting drug. Research shows that the earlier kids start drinking, the more likely they will be to develop a problem with alcohol or other drugs later in life. Once kids start drinking, their world suddenly becomes a more dangerous place.
Girls are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activity, which can result in pregnancy.
Boys get into more fights and commit acts of vandalism that may escalate into more serious crimes. The academic and athletic performances of both sexes can suffer. In fact, research shows that parents who allow teenagers to drink at home are more likely to drink outside the home and to use other drugs. They also have a much greater chance of developing serious problems due to alcohol use, let alone developing a questionable attitude about upholding the law and about parents upholding the law. In short, if we care about the health and safety of our children, we must do everything we can to discourage them from drinking for as long as possible.