New studies
show that
adult
supervision
of teen
drinking –
referred to
as “harm
minimization,”
actually
leads to
more
alcohol-related
problems,
not less.
The latest
study was
published in
the May 2011
issue of the
Journal
of Studies
on Alcohol
and Drugs.
The study
was
conducted by
a team of
American and
Australian
researchers
from the
University
of
Minnesota,
the Social
Development
Research
group in
Seattle,
Washington,
and the
Centre for
Adolescent
Health in
Melbourne,
Australia.
The study
followed
more than
1,900 teens
in
Washington
state and
Victoria,
Australia,
for a
two-year
period from
seventh to
ninth grade.
During that
time,
participants
answered
questions
from
researchers
regarding
how often
they drank
with adults
as well as
their total
alcohol use
and
alcohol-related
problems.
Researchers
found that
by the time
participants
reached
eighth
grade, 67
percent of
Australian
teens and 35
percent of
American
teens had
consumed
alcohol
under adult
supervision.
Once the
participants
reached
ninth grade,
36 percent
of
Australian
teens and 21
percent of
American
teens had
experienced
significant
alcohol-related
problems
such as
binge
drinking,
blackouts,
and fights.
Whether they
were from
Australia or
America,
teens who
drank with
adults were
more likely
to drink,
period. And,
they were
more likely
to
experience
harmful
alcohol-related
consequences
by the time
they reached
ninth grade.
Given their
findings,
researchers
who
conducted
this study
recommend a
“no-use”
policy for
underage
youth. Lead
researcher
Barbara
McMorris,
Ph.D. of the
University
of Minnesota
said, “Kids
need
black-and-white
messages
early on.
Such
messages
will help
reinforce
limits as
teens get
older and
opportunities
to drink
increase.”
This study
is
consistent
with a
growing body
of research
that shows
“harm
minimization”
is a myth.
Adult-supervised
drinking
doesn’t
translate
into
responsible
drinking
among teens.
No amount of
drinking is
responsible
or safe for
underage
youth. Visit
our website
to learn
more about
how alcohol
can affect
the brains
of growing
teens.
Sources:
“Adult-supervised
drinking in
teens may
lead to more
alcohol
use,”
EmaxHealth.com,
April 28,
2011.
“You’re not
doing your
teen any
favors by
letting them
drink,”
BusinessWeek.com,
April 29,
2011.
