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ONE FOR THE ROAD- In sixth grade we had a police officer come into our classroom and tell us the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It was the first time I had ever heard of drunk driving. In high school drinking was definitely "the norm". My mother made it very clear that if I ever came home drunk that I would, and I quote, "Get my a__ kicked." That was enough to make me think three times before I ever took a drink before I turned 21. Today, kids are playing with alcohol as early as 11. Last week there was a story of a group of 15 year olds that had a drinking slumber party. As they proceeded to do shots of straight vodka, one of the girls became violently ill. Later it was determined that one of the parents of the girls gave them the alcohol, claiming that they would rather they do it under their own roof than out somewhere, God knows where. These parents was promptly arrested. This phenomenon has been around for as long as I can remember. Such occasions in the late 90's were called "Key Parties". Parents would let groups of teenagers come into their home and drop their keys into a bucket. Their twisted logic was that at least no one would be driving home. This mentality is sick. Without accountability kids are running around like chicken with their heads cut off, and ripe full of booze.

My 19 year old sister, who has also had the fear of God put into her about drinking, was involved in a choral perforance last Friday evening. The next morning she called me and told me how the adult staff gave the students (predominantly underage) champagne shooters to celebrate. I lost my mind when I heard this. How could a college staff do this to students? What irresponsible behavior! But it's happening all over. Drinking has become something parents are now expecting their kids will get involved in. When did we stop grounding kids for bad behavior? At what point did we give up on raising them?

It's really no different for the legal drinkers under 30. When you are inundated with after work cocktails as your only option to socialize, what do we expect? When did a meeting get replaced with dinner? And when did that dinner get replaced with only drinks? We are feeding an addiction that is starter younger and younger. It's time we cut them off for good.

~ELIZABETH WHITTEMORE

Last week when Elizabeth and I were talking about possible topics for our blog this week I hesitated when she mentioned doing one on alcohol use in younger people.  I hesitated not because I didn't want to do it, but because I thought we already had.  So many of my teen clients use alcohol freely and talk openly to me about their liberal intake I, unfortunately, think everyone is as aware of the situation as I am.  Elizabeth was shocked over her younger sister being given alcohol shots to celebrate but that didn't shock me at all.

Alcohol is by far the most used and abused drug by teenagers.  According to a national survey, nearly one third of all high school students reported drinking 5 or more drinks in one setting during the 30 days prior to the survey. Little due they know that teens who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who wait to begin drinking until the age of 21.  This statistic seems to have no effect on deterring teen drinking however, since every day 11,318 American youth (12 to 20 years old) try alcohol for the first time.  Alcohol and teens, of course, are not a new combination.  But what does seem to be new is the young age drinking now begins.  When I'm asked why I think this is I say tv, movies, and internet social networks do play a part. But my experience leads me to believe one huge reason is children who are unsupervised or left alone at home too much have the opportunity to raid the liquor cabinet in an attempt to satisfy their curiosity and their loneliness.

Parents must stay connected to their children and know what they are really doing with their time. And maybe it would be a good idea to lock that liquor cabinet.

-Deedra Hunter