Alcohol education programs are having to start with younger children than ever before. A recent study published in the September issue of Prevention Science shows that alcohol use increases from fourth to sixth grades. According to the study’s author, fifth grade is the key time to prevent child alcohol abuse. And, if you catch it early, you may avoid the need for alcohol rehab in the future.

John Donovan, Ph.D. of the University of Pittsburgh analyzed 15 years of national and statewide studies of underage alcohol use. Many of the studies were unpublished, but they nevertheless yielded a great deal of information. youngsters over that time period. Donovan found that although overall use of alcohol by children had reduced in the time period he studies, some of the statistics were alarming One national 2001 study showed that nearly 4 percent of 11 year olds consumed alcohol weekly. » Read more: Alcohol Rehab Can Be Prevented By Early Education – Very Early