Alcohol is a drug, but it is different from other drugs, because it is legal for grownups 21 and over to drink. But it's against the law to drink before you're 21. Drinking alcohol when you are young can cause a lot of problems. Since your body's small, it only takes a little bit of alcohol to affect it. Because you're still growing, alcohol can do a lot more damage to your body.
Some people become addicted to alcohol.
The younger a person starts to drink, the more likely he or she is to become addicted to alcohol. Lots of grownups don't drink at all. Most adults who choose to drink are responsible about their choices. But even adults have to be careful with alcohol. Drink while they're pregnant.