underage drinking and peer pressure.

[dlmfwb]

My 14 year old son had a near drowning event. At the hosipital his blood alcohol came back at 0.32. He suffered brain damage and is in Atlanta for rehab. After 6 weeks of frustration, I found out the truth. The alcohol was furnished by a 19 year old and a 16 year old. Peer pressure to the extreme. You can see the whole story at www.justiceformichael.com. It might be worth your while to check it out.

[Kate]

I was really sad to read about what happened to your son. We could all be there...I'm glad you are speaking out, and your family will be in my prayers....

[dlmfwb]

Thank you, Kate,

I appreciate your kind words. My son is everything to me and I will fight for him and be there until the very end.

Dave

[Mike Bradley]

Dear Parent,
Thank you so much for your courage in speaking out about your tragedy. I believe that your story should be required reading for every parent in the world.

In this nation more kids die from alcohol than from all the other "drugs" COMBINED! Relatively speaking, we have no drug problem in America---we have a horrific alcohol problem. But adults don't like to talk about this because booze is our drug of choice. Many adults get angry when I refer to alcohol as one of the worst drugs out there for our kids. The research is clear that soft teen brains cannot tolerate the neuro-toxic effects of alcohol. But since we grown ups do it, then booze can't be a drug, right?

A recent survey of teens found that the majority of them get this "drug" from their parents houses. Most kids said that they drink with their parents' knowledge and 25% DRINK WITH THEIR PARENTS OR WITH THE PARENTS OF A FRIEND. These findings prove that our hypocritical adult blindness to this vicious drug make us complicit with this madness.

Our adult stupidity makes me want to scream, particularly when I hear nightmares such as yours. Maybe, just maybe, after reading your words, some parents might think twice before throwing a beer party for their kids.

Again, thank you for your courage.

[dlmfwb]

Thank you, Dr. Bradley.