In light of a growing body of research about the harmful effects of excessive alcohol use and its importance to adolescent and adult wellness, the Leadership To Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation has issued the following statement:
Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and affects every organ in the body. Research has demonstrated that early and excessive use of alcohol has both immediate effects on health such as unintentional injuries, violence, as well as risky sexual behavior, and long-term effects such as neurological and cardiovascular problems, alcoholism, cancer and liver disease. Since nearly 50% of those who start to drink before age 15 will experience immediate and/or long-term effects in their lifetime, preventing childhood drinking is key to improving the health of both adolescents and adults.
