I think one of the main reasons we have such a problem with alcohol here in the U.S is because of the drinking age. Alcohol is made taboo by so many and it is the fact that is such a "bad thing" that is causing so many issues. Take for example my best friend and I. In my friend's house, she was not allowed alcohol at all. I believe the only bit of alcohol she got was when she was about 17, she got a sip of wine from one of her parents and the other parent wasn't happy about it. When she went to college, she began going to parties and getting drunk and carrying on. She went a little wild.

In my house, (before I moved out) alcohol is not taboo. I have been allowed a glass of wine for dinner when I wanted it. I was allowed alcohol in general if I wanted it, as long as I left the keys with a parent and didn't leave the house. Both my brother and I were raised like this. Given this freedom with alcohol, neither of us felt a need to drink and it wasn't a big deal to us. Neither of us have ever driven under the influence of alcohol. We always have a DD or do not leave the house. When I hit college, I was still underage. We went over to a friends house once a week (or less) for a few beers. We either stayed the night or had a DD.

When I finally hit the legal age of 21 (this past May) I celebrated by having a single glass of wine while watching t.v. I have not been to a bar since turning 21 or ordered an alcoholic beverage while in a restaurant.

Its all about being mature about it. If its something that is off limits and "only for grown-ups", you know there are going to be kids trying to be "grown up" and drinking. They want to prove they are adults so they drink. Its like a right of passage they want to take early. If drinking and alcohol was not made such a big deal of, we wouldn't have half as many problems as we do. Instead of saying "no alcohol" we should promote responsible drinking, educate about the effects of alcohol and the safe way to drink.