Data on alcohol use

During the 1990s there was a lot of attention on (increasing) cannabis and drug use among youngsters. Consequently, the issue of alcohol use in this group was pushed into the background. This changed after the National School Survey in 2003. Its findings disclosed an alarming rise in alcohol use among adolescents. This prompted the government to launch a national programme on Alcohol and Parenting. The central message of this campaign to parents and professional educators is to set clear boundaries and prevent alcohol use before the age of 16.
 
Decline of alcohol use in age group 12-14
The most recent survey conducted among students found that alcohol use has declined in the 12 to 14 year age group. However, the rate of use among youngsters aged between 15 and 18 has remained unchanged. Binge drinking (defined as five or more units per occasion)  also remains the same in this age group. More than two-thirds of secondary school students who drink had engaged in binge drinking at least once during the past month.

Parents' attitude
In the survey conducted among parents, a quarter indicated having agreed with their child that she/he would not use alcohol before a certain age. However, it emerged that parents underestimate how much their children drink; on average, they drink three times as much as their parents estimate. Four out of ten parents believe 14-15 is an acceptable age for the first sip of alcohol; a quarter think that 13 or younger is an acceptable age to start drinking.

As the youngsters get older, parental tolerance towards alcohol use increases. Parents are very tolerant about their child having one drink in their presence. Only half the parents would forbid this. Altogether, it appears that parents have become stricter in recent years about alcohol use among children under 16 years of age. This appears to reflect a change in mentality.