Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina First Lady Mary Easley on Tuesday joined the nations' highest medical officer to announce a nationwide campaign to help reduce underage drinking.
Acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu has issued a booklet entitled "The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking," which outlines ways to help educate parents and children about the dangers.
Among them, Easley said, are tips for parents on talking and listening to teens about the issue.
"When I say talk, I don't mean lecture to them or preach to them," Easley said. "I mean, tell them what the true facts are, which are scientifically indicated by all the research."
A 2005 youth risk behavior survey conducted in North Carolina by the Centers for Disease Control found that 69 percent of high-school students had at least one alcoholic drink during their life; 21 percent had their first drink back age 13; and that 23 percent have had five or more drinks in a row, which is considered binge drinking.
Studies also show that 16- to 24-year-olds are involved in 28 percent of all alcohol-related car accidents, yet the age group makes up only 14 percent of the population.
The Triangle-area has had a number of alcohol-related crashes where young people died. Sunday marked the one-year anniversary in which four Wakefield High School students lost their lives while returning from a sporting event in Greenville. A medical examiner's report showed two of the teens, including the driver, had been drinking alcohol.
Easley is expected to go to Wakefield later this month when she will meet with students about making wise decisions.
Copies of "The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking," and other related materials are available on Surgeon General's Web site or by calling the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686.
N.C. First Lady Helps Launch Campaign Against Underage Drinking
Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
10 Comments
-
- Fireworks explosion ruled accidental; victims identified
Updated Jul. 5 11:32 p.m. |
- N.C. tax overhaul still alive in budget talks
Updated Jul. 5 7:39 p.m. - Man dies in Lillington house fire
Updated Jul. 5 7:42 p.m. |
- Teacher's aide facing new charges
Updated Jul. 5 8:18 p.m. |
- N.C. State student drowns in Jordan Lake
Updated Jul. 5 3:34 p.m.
- Fireworks explosion ruled accidental; victims identified
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Ocracoke Island fireworks truck explosion
Updated Jul. 5 3:05 p.m. - Summer Fun 2009
Updated Jul. 5 10:50 a.m. - Your photos: Fourth of July celebrations
Updated Jul. 5 12:41 p.m.
- Ocracoke Island fireworks truck explosion
top-voted stories
(3 votes) teacher's aide facing new charges
(1 votes) teen missing in neuse river off oriental
(1 votes) n.c. state student drowns in jordan lake
-
Cityscapes of the TriangleTake a tour through the urban landscapes of the Triangle's cities and towns.
-
Michael Jackson (1958-2009)The life and death of Michael Jackson in video and photos.
-
A year of N.C. Drought MapsView a time lapse animation of drought conditions during the last year.
-
'Antiques Roadshow' in RaleighThe "Antiques Roadshow" taped Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the Raleigh Convention Center, where over 5,000 ticket holders lined up to learn what…
-
The week in entertainmentA look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.





STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.