The deleterious effects of alcohol abuse are well known in adults, and
adolescent alcohol-related problems are also well known. Alcohol use is
illegal for adolescents; yet, adolescents and children can still obtain alcohol.
The long-term use by a broad distribution of the young population, therefore,
needs study. In order to meet the objectives of Healthy People 2000
(1990), to decrease frequency of consumption among the young and increase
age of first consumption, information is needed for understanding
the attitudes and beliefs of young children about drinking alcohol. The purpose
of this paper is to report circumstances of first alcohol use and
attitudes and beliefs about drinking alcohol among children in grades three
through six in a freeliving, African American and Caucasian population.