In "Alcohol exposure" (Forum, July 16), Lois Crebs warns us that by taking our children to family restaurants with liquor licenses they can become alcoholics and drunken drivers from exposure to alcohol drinking.

I have a different perspective. When my three daughters were growing up, I gave them permission to drink if they chose to from our liquor cabinet. I did likewise with cigarettes. They are now grown, wonderful women in their 50s, and to this day, do not drink or smoke.

In many cases, the thing that intrigues us to try it is the thing we are forbidden to do. I've also noticed that if a child is determined to try something, he will find a way, even if he has to go underground. Don't you remember doing that?

Roberta Mahin

Ogden