Truths from a person who chose not to drink alcohol a long time ago:

A. It seems to happen with every generation of teenagers that I've known of. Alcohol particularly, and different drugs for different eras, but booze has been around for a loooong time.

B. Most of them will eventually outgrow it. Some, of course, won't because they will be killed or kill someone else driving drunk. Sorry, it's the truth.

C. It's easier to have a good time sober - and you remember everything you've done - and what everyone else did! Good stories to tell or use for blackmail

D. It's easier to not drink if you're a girl, it seems. And a lot safer. It doesn't matter how drunk a guy gets - there's no chance of him ending up unexpectedly pregnant.

E. If you are out at a bar, and don't want it obvious - or to make an issue of of being the one "not drinking" you can get your own drinks. Gingerale in a glass looks convincing as some kinds of booze. My favorite "bar drink" was getting orange juice and gingerale (which everyone assumed was a Screwdriver) or orange juice, cranberry juice and gingerale - looks like a "mixed drink" - which it is! The longer you take to drink it, the better.