Albertans weigh in on teen drinking in family home

A doctor with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says when it comes to introducing your children to alcohol, parents should "hold off as long as possible."

"While there is a widespread belief that this may be the right thing to do, the research actually indicates that it is not good," said Dr. Jurgen Rehm, the centre's director of social and epidemiological research.

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Rehm, who was a guest Wednesday on CBC Radio's Alberta@Noon, says children who are allowed to drink at home are more likely to do it excessively later in life.

But many Albertans who tweeted and called into the show said they have, or will, introduce alcohol to their children at home before they turn 18.

Jessica Gerwin of Grand Prairie does not have children, but says when she was younger her parents allowed her to drink "half a cooler" at family barbecues.

I think if you draw too hard of a line in the sand for these teenagers, they're going to go behind our backs and do it anyway.- Tammy Nishimura, Calgary

"I don't have a problem with alcohol now. I think part of that was because I was taught to use it responsibly," she said.

Gerwin believes adults who supervise their children's drinking are keeping them from doing further harm.

"They're not searching out older people to buy them alcohol and then going out for a bush party ... and have to be rushed to the hospital to get their stomach pumped."

In Calgary, Tammy Nishimura decided to allow her 15-year-old daughter drink at her friend's house, with parental supervision, because she asked for permission.

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"My official stance is I don't condone underage drinking, but I appreciated her honesty," she said. "It's a grey line. I think if you draw too hard of a line in the sand for these teenagers, they're going to go behind our backs and do it anyway — and then how safe can we keep them?"

​Canadians drink more than Italians

When asked why early introduction to alcohol is more of a problem in North America than Europe, Rehm says it comes down to culture.

"There's a lot of difference in Europe. Believe it or not, but Italians drink way less alcohol than Canadians on average."

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Also, Rehm says in Italy, it's not socially acceptable, or "macho" to drink until you're wasted.

"They do drink alcohol; they are introduced to alcohol at the same age as here but they are way less drunk than our kids."