Today, Teens are drinking more then ever, and alcohol has become the drug of most teens choice. Annually, about 5000 youth under the age of 21 die from motor vehicle accidents, unintentinal injuries, homicides as well as suicides, that invovle underage drinking. According to the data from the 2005 Monitoring the Future study, an annual survey of U.S. youth, three-fourths of 12th graders, more then two-thirds of 10th graders, and about two in every five 8th graders have consumed alchohol. And when teens or “youth” drink they then to drink heavily,  often consuming four to five drinks at one time. In 2003 the average age of first use of alcohol was 14, compared to about 17 1/2 in 1965. Some people who started to drink before the age of 15 also reported alcohol abuse at some point in their life. How do you know if your kids are drinking?  Most of the time, kids drink in the most obvious places, friends houses, a innocent slumber party, or a supervised school dance. ( In My Opinion) If your child has started to drink, they will be more likely to try other risky things then a child who hasn’t drinken. i.e. ( Street Drugs, And Percription Medication.)  If you know your child has tried alchohol with his or her friends, instead of getting angry ( which is the inital and pratical reaction) sit down with the child and ask what made them want to do this, curiousity, stress, pure pressure, or cause they thought it might be cool. The best way to get close to your child if you know they are hiding something from you, is to not scold them, but try and understand them.  Teens and Kids these days drink for numerous reasons. Recently, I read a book that helped me to better understand underage drinking and my issues with drinking, highly recommended by me and therapists around the United States, ”Smashed” By Koren Zailckas.  Over all, Alchohol abuse is  getting worse each year, and most cases are seen in young adults and teen, rather than in adults who are legally  able to drink.  Make sure you know what your child is doing. It could save their life.