Underage Drinking

The average age for first time use of alcohol is 13 years old.
Start talking before they start drinking.

In December 2009 and January 2010, SAFE sponsored Café Conversations at Elizabeth Davis Middle School and Robious Middle School. A total of 135 parents and their middle school children enjoyed dinner together and participated in fun, interactive activities that promoted discussion about underage drinking. The events were facilitated by Dr. Linda Hancock, director of the Wellness Resource Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Mary Lib Morgan, prevention specialist for Chesterfield County Public Schools. Similar events will be held at Midlothian Middle School March 11 and Matoaca Middle School March 18. The event is free, but parents must sign up through their school.

Because so many kids start experimenting with alcohol early, it is important that parents don’t wait until their children are teenagers before they start talking to them about underage drinking.

The dangers of alcohol are greater for teens than for adults. Alcoholism in teens can develop in a year or two while the process may take five to 10 years to develop in an adult. The earlier a youth starts drinking, the greater the risk. Research has shown that youths who drink before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. For each year's delay in starting to drink, the likelihood of later alcohol abuse problems decreases markedly.

Heavy drinking during the adolescent years can cause damage to thinking abilities, particularly information recall, a critical function in the educational process.

Teen alcohol use also presents additional risks:

  • alcohol-related car crashes; other injuries such as from falls and drowning
  • poor judgment regarding sexual decisions, leading to increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy
  • increased risk of sexual assault
  • violent behavior
  • legal penalties

Listen to the Audio PSA: I Know – (teen girl)
Listen to the Audio PSA: I Know – (teen boy)

How can parents prevent underage drinking?
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SAFE’s Underage Drinking Initiatives
  • In fifth grade, child safety officers from the Chesterfield Police Department teach alcohol prevention lessons to children. SAFE provides Use, You Lose t-shirts for the children and a brochure for their parents.
  • In April, Alcohol Awareness Month, SAFE sponsors a “teach-in” with fifth-grade students at an elementary school featuring the Chesterfield County chief of police. Students wear their “Use, You Lose” T-shirts and learn about the importance of staying alcohol free.
  • SAFE sponsors Café Conversations at various middle schools to engage parents and their children in fun, interactive activities that promote conversations about underage drinking.
  • During the holidays, teens involved with SAFE record a radio ad reminding parents of the example they’re setting for their children regarding alcohol use.
  • Many high school seniors celebrate their graduation from high school with a week at the beach. SAFE hosts workshops for parents and seniors that focus on the legalities and realities of Beach Week, including the high risk of underage drinking. A lawyer, a police officer and a health provider deliver these workshops at various high schools during the winter months. Participants receive a Surviving Beach Week guide.
  • In May of each year, SAFE provides information to parents about safe and sober graduations in a communication from the school superintendent, chief of police and chairman of the SAFE board, along with information about Virginia alcohol laws and how to talk to your child about drinking in college.
Reducing Access

SAFE conducts ongoing compliance checks at alcohol retail outlets in Chesterfield County to encourage compliance with laws related to the sale of alcohol to minors. At the end of each series of checks, SAFE publishes the names of the complying and non-complying stores in community papers. Complying stores receive a letter of thanks from SAFE along with posters for their stores. Non-complying stores are encouraged to offer training to their staff to prevent future violations.
Community Standards

The behavior adults model about alcohol, as well as their attitudes toward underage drinking, have a profound effect on the behaviors of teens. SAFE has developed a common-sense list of community standards for alcohol use by adults.

To check out your own drinking patterns, visit Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health.