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Anti-Alcohol Messages for Children Must Begin Before Sixth Grade

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 09:00 CST

University of Minnesota researchers have found distinct differences between sixth-graders who have tried alcohol and those who haven't, suggesting that prevention programs need to start at earlier ages before these differences emerge.

"By sixth grade, it's too late," said Keryn Pasch of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. "We'll miss many of the at-risk kids."

Pasch was the lead author of a study released Tuesday that reviewed responses by sixth-graders in Chicago-area schools in 2002.

About 17 percent had tried alcohol in the prior year. Those who used alcohol were more likely to report having smoking habits, delinquent or violent behavior, lower self-control and confidence, and friends who drank.

Many schools and community groups target prevention messages at tweens. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a school-based curriculum available for this age group as well.

Pasch said her study suggests that parents, schools and community groups need to encourage prevention for children who are in fourth or even third grade.

"What it says is we need to target the whole student body earlier," she said, "when the users look more like nonusers."

The challenge will be creating a prevention message that is understandable for younger children. Discussing alcohol may be less important at this age than giving children the self-confidence they can later use to turn down alcohol when friends offer it to them, Pasch said.

Several studies have linked childhood drinking to an increased likelihood of binge drinking, addiction, drunken driving and other problems later in life.

Source: Saint Paul Pioneer Press

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