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 Many of the studies were unpublished, but they nevertheless yielded a great deal of information.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.

One of the points made in the study is that many parents allow their children to try wine or beer when at family gatherings, weddings, and so on. When the kids in the study were asked if they used alcohol, they were not asked about the circumstances. However, according to Donovan, the amount they drank is not the alarming factor: it's the fact that casual alcohol use at such an early age puts them at risk of future alcohol abuse, delinquency, school problems and teen pregnancy.

One mother in Los Altos, California – whose 18 year old daughter just got out of drug and alcohol rehab - suggested setting a standard in your household: Start education early and work to make not using alcohol and drugs the norm. She's putting a lot of effort into this – she also has a 10 year old she doesn't want to follow the same path.

Donovan makes the point in his study that it is never too early to start talking to your kids about alcohol and drug use. In fact, kids whose parents talk to them about drugs and alcohol are 50 percent less likely to use them. Educating them now may prevent having to get them into an alcohol rehab program in the future.