I have two rules for drinking.
1. Never ever drink to excess.
2. Know why you're drinking. If it's just to alter mood, don't do it.
When I do drink, it's usually a light fruit wine and either alone or in the company of my housemates after work. I have been drinking since I was well below the legal age and can handle alcohol okay, however, most 16-year olds can't. And to be honest, if you're below the legal age and drinking sensibly, you won't get picked up. It's there to catch the people that are stupid.