Underage drinking normal compared to national average; however, still a problem

"Four out of every five students have consumed alcohol by the end of high school," according to Monitoring the Future. Does Wakonda have a problem with teenage drinking? If the national average is four out of five students, that means around 80 percent of our high school students drink. What about Wakonda?

A survey was given to the 54 Wakonda High School students. Of those, 37 students said "yes" they have consumed alcohol before. The percentage is 68.5 percent of our high schoolers have taken a drink.

Now whether that means they are continuous drinkers or have just experimented with alcohol was not determined. It is still a bit scary to think that only 17 students in our high school have not broken the law.

When asked why they did it, most of the students replied that they did not know. The second answer was due to peer pressure.

Here's another serious statistic reported by the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University: one-third of sixth and ninth graders obtain alcohol from their own homes.

This seems way too young and way too easily attained.

Most experts agree that most parents should talk about the dangers of alcohol with their children, or they are more likely to abuse it with time.

The Center also cited many of the influences as friends, pressure, stress, parents, and even school at times.

Friends are perhaps the most important influence when it comes to drinking. They can persuade anyone into doing the most absurd things. Parents and role models are another influence. Their views toward alcohol have a profound effect on teens and pre-teens.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, more than five million high schoolers binge drink at least once a month. Also, two-thirds of 12th graders report having been drunk says Monitoring the Future, a group that puts together statistics on drinking for teens.

Most parents have no idea their children drink or have taken a drink. But, Mom and Dad, they probably have. We know 37 of our 54 students have. Open up the lines of communication with your sons and daughters. Get to the bottom of this by asking them. Let them know how you feel about alcohol and underage drinking.

In conclusion, many children still need guidance when it comes to making correct decisions, the last thing a parent wants in life is to have their child become a victim of drinking.

Monitoring the Future is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. Each year, a total of approximately 50,000 eighth, 10th and 12th grade students are surveyed (12th graders since 1975, and eighth and 10th graders since 1991). In addition, annual follow-up questionnaires are mailed to a sample of each graduating class for a number of years after their initial participation.