Teens less likely to drink if their parents have rules

When Arizona parents set clear rules prohibiting underage drinking, their teenage children may be less likely to go to parties and drink alcohol. A study showed that a relatively simple method for preventing teen drinking actually works. The research study was conducted by a professor of social sciences and health policy from Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina.

Over 1,100 people between the ages of 15 and 20 years old were surveyed. The participants lived in 24 different cities in seven states. The research showed that they were 35 percent less likely to have gone to a party where alcohol was served in the last 30 days if their parents had set clear rules prohibiting underage drinking.

Around 60 percent of the survey participants said that they had gone to a party with alcohol in the last 30 days. However, not all of them imbibed. The young people who had parents that set clear rules against underage drinking were 38 percent more likely to abstain from alcohol when they attended parties than participants whose parents did not have such rules.

Underage drinking can lead to may problems, including health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that it can lead to lever disease. It can raise legal issues as well, including drunk driving charges. Most states have enacted statures that provide for zero tolerance for teenage motorists who are pulled over and then test positive for alcohol. People in this position may want to have the assistance of a criminal defense attorney in Glendale to combat the allegations.