Bloomberg News reported Aug. 8 that half of American girls ages 13-18 said they had obtained alcoholic drinks "one way or another" -- including from family members, strangers, peers, or boyfriends. By comparison, 45 percent of 13- to 18-year-old boys said they had obtained alcohol by some means.

"I don't think the average parent thinks this is a girl issue,'' said AMA President J. Edward Hill, who said that girls getting alcohol from older boyfriends could help explain the disparity between the sexes.

An accompanying online poll found that 72 percent of adults agreed that supplying alcohol to minors is illegal and that laws against underage drinking should be enforced. But 31 percent said teens should be able to drink at home.

Adults were the most common source of alcohol for teens of both sexes, the AMA said.

The online poll, conducted by Harris Interactive, involved 2,283 adults. Teenage Research Unlimited conducted the survey, which included 701 boys and girls.

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