Colman Noctor: Why alcohol and teenagers are a risky mix

"Adolescents are naturally curious, and many are intrigued to find out what consuming alcohol feels like - they also see so many adults in their lives celebrating and endorsing it that they often form positive associations with alcohol."

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A report from the North Dublin Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force found that a quarter of 14- to 16-year-olds in the area drank alcohol in the last year.

More than 1,200 of the 2,677 teenagers surveyed had been drunk in the previous year, with the majority drinking outdoors in fields, parks, and on the street.