It’s funny to look back in life and see how stupid (maybe naive is a better word) you once were. I began to realize that days ago when reporter Ida Brown started on her two-part series on underage drinking.

The subject of underage drinking was a big part of my adolescent life. The reason: I was among those who chose not to drink. The issue of whether I would give in to peer pressure or continue my sobriety was a daily struggle.

Part of me actually cared what people thought about my decision not to drink. I thought all the girls would think I was a dork, I wouldn’t have any friends, I’d be bored all the time, and I’d be labeled a loser.

Before I continue — and paint some false picture that I was somehow a saint for not drinking — I must tell you that I didn’t drink for a lot of the wrong reasons. It was, at times, a game to me. I had a strategy: If my peers were all drinking on the weekends and hanging out, I would be the “different” one. That was the way I could catch the eye of some girl, I thought.

I used it to my advantage. I kept waiting for someone to give me a big pat on the back or an “atta boy” for not drinking alcohol. I also had some warped view that my Christianity was somehow rooted in the mere fact that I didn’t drink. I thought: “I’m clean, so I must be a good Christian.” Wrong.

I wore my sobriety like a badge of honor. But I realize now that I shouldn’t have expected people to congratulate me for something as simple as obeying the law. I wasn’t doing anything special; I simply chose not to drink.

I am, however, glad that I chose to stick to my decision. And several things helped me stay away from alcohol as a minor:



n I stayed active. No matter where I was — church, the gym, my buddy’s house — I kept busy. I didn’t sit around and mope. Sure, there were times when I thought by not drinking I would somehow “miss out” on my teenage years, but I never gave in. And I’m so glad I didn’t because that was the biggest misconception of all — that somehow I would not enjoy myself if I didn’t drink a few beers.

n My parents were my backbone. They kept me in church and they led by example. They taught me why not drinking was important and they were always there for support. I also knew that if I slipped up I’d have to face my father’s wrath — and I knew I didn’t want that. This is not to say that parents can do it alone. I had plenty of friends whose parents set good examples and that didn’t stop them from drinking.

n I surrounded myself with friends who stood with me on the island of sobriety. Together, we found plenty of ways to have fun that didn’t include alcohol. That probably made my teenage years more enjoyable.

And it turns out drinking doesn’t do as much for your popularity as I thought it did. If anything it was the opposite. Who wants to do something everyone else is doing? Sounds pretty lame to me.

The bottom line: drinking isn’t that big of a deal, if you don’t do it. You’re not going to “miss out” on anything by choosing not to do it.

And there’s a reason you have to be 21 to consume alcohol.

Don’t become a statistic that has to learn that lesson the hard way.



Fredie Carmichael is editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at

editor@themeridianstar.com.