Alcohol, a legal and socially accepted drug, used both in moments of joy and sadness, is viewed differently from other drugs. Since its consumption is legal, it is considered “safer”, which minimizes its negative potential and contributes to further increasing the harmful consequences of its consumption. The harmful effects of alcohol can be related to quantity, frequency, quality and timing and bring short and long-term consequences, such as traffic accidents, trauma, aggressive behavior, accidental deaths, unplanned and/or unwanted sexual relationships, health problems (heart disease, liver disease, psychopathies, neuropathies) and social problems (family, emotional, professional). Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that the reasons that normally lead people to alcoholism can also lead them to other types of addiction.

In adolescence, the individual is in a period of biopsychosocial development and is therefore more vulnerable to the effects of drugs, including alcohol. This is a phase of potential risky behavior, and alcohol generally tends to exacerbate it, as statistics show.

In Brazil, the sale and consumption of alcohol to minors under 18 years of age is prohibited by law, but in practice this law is ineffective, not only due to a lack of effective monitoring, but mainly, and perhaps more worryingly, due to a lack of awareness and knowledge on the part of society and families themselves. Adolescents are starting to consume alcohol at an earlier age (on average at 13 years of age) and this often begins within the family. At parties and concerts for teenagers, at social and family gatherings, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is sometimes permitted and usually with the connivance of adults. The act of drinking helps with socialization and acceptance of adolescents in a group, reduces shyness and insecurity, and facilitates social and emotional contacts. Because they are inexperienced, many adolescents are subject to peer pressure that encourages this habit.

Prevention programs for adolescents are focused on illicit drugs and few cover alcohol. Health and education professionals themselves are aware of the need for preventive work in relation to illicit drugs, but not in relation to alcohol consumption among adolescents. There is an urgent need for changes in this situation. The Ministry of Health (MS) is running a campaign in relation to alcohol consumption with the challenge of reducing its harm, and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) will launch, in 2008, a campaign aimed at prevention and strategies to curb alcohol consumption among adolescents.

We, from the magazine Adolescence & Health, we are in solidarity with these movements and would like to invite everyone to participate and collaborate in the campaigns, because, although the use of alcohol has been occurring since ancient times, man has not yet learned how to deal with this substance.

As we finish another year of work, we hope that in 2008 we can be together in another stage of our magazine.