TEENS DRINK TO GET DRUNK

Most adults I know find alcohol to be effective social lubricant to help relax inhibitions at parties and make socializing seem more fun --  a glass of wine or two, maybe a couple of beers can make a gathering seem more festive. Teens often feel that way, too. However, there is one major disconnect – teens report that when they drink, they're not savoring a fine wine's bouquet or the body of a hearty ale. When teens drink, they generally drink to get drunk, and this can often hit the level of binge drinking (four drinks for girls, five for boys, in less than two hours)? Locally, teens say it happens nearly every weekend, often involving hard alcohol, and it can have dangerous effects on the developing brain. 

This was one of the most pressing concerns of the recent Brookline community Wellness Summit, and it resulted in Brookline Parent Education Network's new Parent Update on “Teens & Alcohol,” which includes facts, resources, tips, and strategies outlined by the forum to help keep teens safe. It's worth checking out...