The dramatic decline was reported by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board in its biennial Report on Underage and High-Risk Drinking.
“What’s clear from the statistics is that parents’ attitudes towards alcohol have a significant impact on children’s decisions to try or not try alcohol,” said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden. “Beginning ongoing conversations about the dangers of alcohol with kids early and securing alcohol in the home are positive actions parents can take to discourage alcohol use.”
The report also shows:
- More than 80% of Pennsylvania students in grades six, eight, 10, and 12 think their parents would disapprove of them using alcohol.
- Pennsylvania students whose families have clear rules about the use of alcohol drank 40 percent less than students whose families do not have clear rules on alcohol use.
- Of the Pennsylvania students in grades six, eight, 10, and 12 who used alcohol, nearly 1 in 4 obtained it from a parent, and 1 in 5 obtained it from a friend’s parent.