I never thought any charity could be so irresponsible as Alcohol Concern was today in suggesting that parents should be banned from letting their children drink at home. It amounts to punishing parents for giving their children one of the most important lessons you can have in life, learning to cope with a potentially dangerous but wonderfully enjoyable drug. Thank goodness the outcry has been quick and strong, but I want to add to it, for we all need to stand up to the creeping progress of the Just Say No meme…

… The last thing we need is a war on drink to add to the war on drugs. The result wouldn’t be a decrease alcohol abuse but - as has happened with so many other drugs - an increase. We should encourage all the best in good parenting, be thankful that so many parents do teach their children how to use alcohol safely, and help others to do the same, not make the very best practice actually illegal.

Source: Guardian Unlimited
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/sue_blackmore/2007/04/dont_just_say_no.html