Most participants reported initiating drinking in their junior high school years, that is, ages 12-15. The alcohol for initial drinking was occasionally acquired from parents' supply in the home (with or without permission) but more frequently from older siblings and friends, typically at parties. Some parents supplied alcohol to their underage children in exchange for agreements to consume the alcohol in their own home, rather than frequenting parties elsewhere or visiting bars and taverns. Parents were most likely to supply alcohol for special occasions such as graduation parties Parties emerged as the major source of alcohol during the high school years. The large majority of the attendees at such parties were underage, most ages 15-19. in rural areas, such parties were frequently held out of doors in locations like gravel pits, vacant fields, and woods. Frequently, alooho was openly available to high school age youths at parties; older adolescents and young adults typi- alcohol for the cally obtained the