Begin Alcohol Education Early

Alcohol prevention programs instituted by schools and supported by parents are vital to discouraging youth from using alcohol, but we may not be starting these programs soon enough.

My recent research suggests that tweens (adolescents between the ages of eight and 14) should be receiving alcohol prevention programs prior to sixth grade, ideally between the third and fifth grade. While certainly not all children are alcohol users by sixth grade, the study found that one in six children at that age had used alcohol in the past year. Beginning programs earlier would allow for universal anti-alcohol messages that provide support for high-risk students.

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