KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Supervised Underage Drinking

Some people believe that if teenagers are going to drink, it is better that they drink at home with their parents.  Some say that is a very dangerous proposition.  A recent report reveals that 16 percent of drinkers between the ages of 12 to 20 received their alcohol from a parent or guardian.  That report, published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reveals that quite a few parents are giving kids the green light to drink if it is in their home.  Most addiction specialists say the idea that kids will be safer drinking at home is a fallacy.  If you talk to teens they say they know of parents who've practiced this pattern at home and it may be safer, but they say it is still dangerous because kids leave the house at some point and many ways there is no way to monitor them.  Plus, many parents drink themselves and then their own skills are compromised.  Experts say the number one thing parents and teenagers need to remember is that underage drinking is ILLEGAL.  It is against the law and it can get both parents and teenagers in a lot of trouble.  The best tactic, experts say, is to emphasize to kids that it is against the law.  Also, they say parents need to start from an early age telling kids that alcohol is not allowed... period.  If kids and teens believe there is some wiggle room in what their parents will and won't allow then they will be more likely to experiment.