Middle Schoolers and Alcohol

Many of us may think that alcohol use and abuse is a problem for high school and college student. But, in fact, drinking (and subsequent substance abuse and problems) can start earlier - as early as fourth grade. A study of adolescent drinking data published in the September 2007 issue of Prevention Science, cited one national survey in which 6.9% of fourth graders, and 12.9% of sixth graders reported alcohol use during the past 12 months. Another study found that 11% of 6th graders reported binge drinking (5 or more drinks at one time for boys, 4 for girls, in the past two weeks).

Local survey results confirm these statistics. In 2007, a day long summit with 130 seventh and eighth graders from Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley School Districts revealed that drugs, alcohol and huffing was the third ranked concern of St. Vrain Valley middle school students (Voices and Views, Theme Report for the St. Vrain Valley and Boulder Valley School Districts Middle School Youth Summits) and 23.4% of St. Vrain Valley high school students reporting using alcohol before the age of 13 in the 2007 Boulder County Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Early initiation of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use is associated with a greater likelihood of addiction. The use of tobacco and alcohol at a young age is also known to increase the risk for other drug use. Delaying initial use of these substances can positively impact eventual addiction and use rates. It is evident that conversations between parents and youth about alcohol use need to begin early . . . perhaps as early as fourth grade.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which is developing a week-long online "The Science inside Alcohol" curriculum for middle school students has these five steps parents can take to talk with their kids about alcohol:

• Find teachable moments. We live in a culture of celebrity. If a celebrity your child admires admits to a drinking problem, or an instance of alcohol abuse occurs in your community, talk about it. Ask your middle-school student if he or she knows anyone who drinks alcohol and whether it is at parties or has been brought into their school. Answer questions. Have this conversation often.
• Talk to your kids when everything is fine. Middle school students are volatile, hormonal beings. They are sweet and wonderful one moment, and blow up the next. Pick a time when things are quiet and they're a captive audience such as in the backseat of your car. Don't take no for an answer.
• Engage your kids in the science of alcohol. Adolescents are incredibly self-involved. Alcohol can cause memory loss, impair sports performance, incite embarrassing behavior and affect how they feel and look. Make them aware of these facts. If there is a history of alcoholism in your family, explain about genetic predispositions towards alcohol abuse.
• Be vigilant. There's no alternative to monitoring your kids. Have an early curfew. Know where they are at all times. Even if you are not home on a weeknight, make sure you can reach your kids by phone. Get to know their new friends and their parents. Find out what their rules and level of engagement are.
• Learn to trust your child. Now's the time when all the work you've put into creating a value system for your child begins to pay off. Set limits and enforce rules, but remember to give your child room to make his or her decisions, within your comfort zone. Praise them when they do well. It's worth a thousand words. (From Middle-Schoolers and Alcohol: Tips for Parents from The Science Inside Alcohol Project at AAAS)