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Youth coalition to raise awareness of underage drinking

By Staff Writer

Many kids turn to alcohol to cope with the stress of school and peer pressure. Regardless of parental advice, children often engage in reckless behavior without understanding the consequences of abusing drugs. Now, a youth coalition in Madison and Rankin counties in Mississippi is attempting to make a difference among their community.

A group of adolescents banded together to form an organization dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, according to the Madison County Herald. The idea behind the coalition is that if kids are not willing to listen to their parents, they may be more receptive to guidance from their peers.

Andre Conway, a coalition member, told the news source that the national average age for kids to start drinking is 13. However, the age is 12 in Mississippi, which is why the group is working to raise awareness of the underage drinking problem in the local community. Conway also told the Herald that approximately 90 percent of high schools say it is "easy" to obtain alcohol.

The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 28 percent of kids aged 12 to 20 years drink alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug rehab programs can help kids who have developed a dependency to alcohol.

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