We discuss the social tolerance of alcohol use and dependence that, combined with the social neglect toward children, have influenced the lack of scientific knowledge on this matter. We also discuss the toxicity of the substance and the social and economical aspects that determine dependence. In this sense, we report a case of a four-year-old child attended at a teaching hospital and who had been given alcoholic beverages for eighteen months. We underscore the importance of studies on the prevalence of use of alcohol among children to guide preventive programs and public healthcare policies against alcoholism.