A new, large study of young teens revealed some buzz-killing facts about their drinking habits -- specifically, where they get their booze from, MyHealthNewsDaily.com reported.
An estimated 700,000 U.S. kids in the 12 to 14 year old age group (which is about 5.9 percent) had consumed alcohol in the past month, and of those, nearly half got it for free from their family or at home.
The study, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) as part of the National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health, shows that family members can play a big role in reducing kids’ access to alcohol and preventing underage drinking.
“People who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are six times more likely than those who start at age 21 and older to develop alcohol problems, “ SAMSHA administrator Pamela Hyde told MHND.
If you’re one to have an occasional post-work cocktail or wine with dinner (guilty!), you likely have spirits in your house. But do you keep it under lock and key? Should you?