WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Preventing Underage Drinking

Preventing Underage Drinking

The statistics are amazing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the first use of alcohol typically begins around age 13. The Centers for Disease Control says 30% of high school students admit to riding in a car with a drinking driver.

And 30% of high school seniors engage in heavy episodic drinking. Recent research by the Century Council reveals that 65 % of underage youth who drink, obtain alcohol from family and friends.

Continuing to ensure people are aware of the issue, the world's leading premium drinks business, Diageo, and the Century Council a national not-for-profit organization funded by Diageo and other distillers, want kids to know about the dangers of underage drinking.

Which is why the Century Council offers many programs for students and parents. See their website to learn how you can get free interactive c-d roms. One of them called "Alcohol One-on-One" is a program designed to help prevent underage drinking for high school senior.

And now Nickelodeon is joining the Century Council to launch the "Ask-Listen-Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don'tMmix" program- a multimedia program for kids and parents to fight underage drinking. It targets tweens, kids between ages 9 and 12.

If you have got a teenager here are some tips right off the web site:

Make sure to provide parental supervision and don't allow your teen to attend parties where alcohol is served.

Be a good role model and learn to recognize behavioral problems and seek help if necessary.

Don't wait to have the conversation.