Sep. 9, 2008 The first few weeks of middle school are a frenzy
of friends, parties, and school events. It's also time for
parents to start talking with their kids about the dangers of
drinking alcohol, according to The Science Inside Alcohol
Project of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS). Nearly twenty percent of 14 year-olds say
they've been drunk at least once, according to the U.S. Surgeon
General, and recent news points out dangers of alcohol use by
the young: - The Partnership for a Drug-Free America released a
study in August, 2008 of 6,500 teens in which 73% said school
stress caused them to drink and take drugs. - A Columbia
University study, also released in August, found that "problem
parents," those who let their kids stay out past 10:00 p.m. on
school nights in particular, are putting them in situations
where they are at risk for drinking and drug use. - About 100
university leaders called for a national discussion of lowering
the drinking age back to 18, saying it's not