By Sixth Grade Nearly One In Six Children Are Alcohol Users
University of Minnesota School of Pubic Health finds nearly one in six children are already alcohol users. Sixth-grade users of alcohol were significantly different from the non-users on almost all risk factors examined. For example, users were more likely to be male, engage in violent or delinquent behavior, and have friends who used alcohol. Researchers suggest a prevention program prior to sixth grade in which parent involvement is central. Students should receive developmentally-appropriate messages that correct inaccurate perceptions that 'drinking is normal' and that provide tweens with the skills to refuse alcohol. In addition, interventions should include parental involvement in order to help create opportunities for increased parent-child communication and provide parents with the skills to increase monitoring. But how many of these children have a stable family life with two parents in the home? We are not given that information.