hildren grow up fast! But did you know that, on average, children begin experimenting with alcohol at age 12?

That's one reason why MADD has created programs like PY/PM that teach children/youth about the real dangers that alcohol poses to those under 21, while brains are still growing and developing.

Why Is Alcohol Use Dangerous For Those Under Age 21?
The brain goes through dynamic change during adolescence, and alcohol can seriously damage long- and short-term growth processes.

The Developing Brain: Birth through mid 20's
"Protecting You/Protecting Me" focuses on preventing damage to the developing brain from age 12 to the mid 20's, when the exposure to alcohol is the greatest among American teens.

The Impact of Alcohol on the Brain
Exposure to substances that inhibit cell growth has some impact on the adult brain, but these same substances can have a devastating effect on the developing brain.

Parent activity - 'Protect Your Brain'
Here's a simple activity that any family can do to teach children about how the brain works, and how alcohol can interfere with how we send and receive messages.

What every parent should know to help protect their child:

• The brains of adolescents who drink heavily are approximately 10% smaller than those who don't drink. Brown SA et all 2000
  
  
• Alcohol affects the adolescent brain much more than mature brains. Early alcohol use can limit children/youth learning and memory potential. Pyappali GK et all 1999
  
  
• Youth who drink before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, July 2006
  
  
• Youth who drink before age 14 are seven times more likely to report having been in an alcohol-related motor vehicle crash than those who began drinking after age 21. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, July 2006

• Bring MADD programs to your child's school.