Lack of education about the dangers of alcohol/sensible alcohol consumption from parents, combined with an acceptance of alcohol consumption to excess in the media/peer groups. When I was young, I drank because my friends did, we enjoyed it - it wasnt seen as a bad thing to drink too much until you got ill. Now I'm older, I can see kids here doing the same; but also adults here doing it. Parents either drink a lot and pass the message on to their children that its ok, or forbid them to drink at all - leading them to try it in secret with friends and not know how to drink responsibly. I think give the kids the kids the right information, set the right example; then let them make their own mistakes.

Mainly, because parents do! So, I’ll say as the common saying: “If the father is a drummer, so don't blame the kids when they dance” I think that I don't need to explain more :-)

All the people above put the finger on the wound, but the question is : HOW TO PROCEED ? This is the question, we all know that addiction is bad not only alcohol. "Teenagers should know sensible alcohol consumption etc ... You can tell him or her thousand times “don´t do this, do this...” – but everyone learns from his/her mistakes. " @ Lucie: How can we make teenagers aware of this?! They won't be satisfied until they try. And how could they learn from their mistakes?! After being handicapped because of a traffic accident on the highway?! I think that we ought to go beyond some alcohol consumption lessons or even prohibition. In Algeria alcohol problem wasn't so widespread, because it's prohibited in Islam. Those who drink alcohol are looked upon as bad people; this helped to reduce its consumption. But, with globalization things are getting from worse to worst, because people here are taking just negatives of other nations instead of positives. I think that a spiritual reason is stronger than law sometimes; do you remember what happened in USA between 20's and 30's after the "Volstead Act" (the National Prohibition Act)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States it gave an opposite effect ,thus a cursed bench of mafia took over big cities, and the most famous one is Al Capone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Capone

They want to be “cool”, they want to be adult… “Friends drink - why I should not? Parents drink – why I should not?” They often drink because they are bored. They want to discover new things, they want to try everything, they want to experience everything ... Drinking alcohol is big adventure for them. You can be shy, not so much favourite between your “friends” – but if you drink alcohol – you are suddenly in a conversational mood, you are so courageous, everyone seems friendly and lovely, all your problems disappears... If you tell teenagers: “Don´t drink alcohol at all! It´s dangerous, it isn´t healthy etc” – they will not listen (maybe only some of them). You know – all forbidden things are interesting. When I was younger – we got in the school lots of information about alcoholism and drugs (with some really disgusting pictures). Do you think it helped? Do you think no-one drink alcohol after it? I´m sorry for saying that - but no... Maybe the problem is – teenagers can buy alcohol. Sure it´s forbidden but who cares? In one shop they can´t buy it – but they go to another one... They go to the disco – and they can buy alcohol without problems there too. In my city is a music club – I think if teenagers will not go there, the owner could close it. Every Friday and Saturday it´s full of drunk teenagers... Looking at them is really funny but sad... Parents should pray their children will not meet “bad friends”. Children should pray their parents will not be alcoholics... Anyway – I absolutely agree with James – teenagers should know sensible alcohol consumption etc ... You can tell him or her thousand times “don´t do this, do this...” – but everyone learns from his/her mistakes.

Many young people, nowadays, use to drink and the reasons are very different from others, but in general it's about : family and friends. When they are not understood at home and they have a quarell with mum or dad, they find a shelter in drinking. Another factor is company: you drink to be "popular", "cool" and to seem more mature, but they will then discover that it's too late and can't stop. All it starts in your childhood: if you are taught with the value of life and to respect others , you will continue in life with respect, if your parents are indifferent, unfeeling with you, you will be indifferent with all around you too.