As your teen begins a new school year, they will be exposed to exciting new experiences and increased independence. The choices they make now – such as making new friends, trying out for the team, joining a club, or planning for life after high school—will have an impact on their future.
So will the decision whether or not to use alcohol. Before you say “Kids will be kids,” or “I drank alcohol when I was young and I turned out okay,” we urge you to consider these facts about underage drinking:
- Each year, approximately 5,000 young people in the United States die as a result of underage drinking.
- Underage drinking puts young people at higher risk for violence, sexual assault, and school failure.
- In Washington State, about 1 in 7 eighth graders... read more