AG Drew Edmondson launches effort to curb underage drinking

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson is starting a statewide campaign intended to reduce underage drinking.<br/><br/>Edmondson announced Tuesday the start of the campaign called

Tuesday, October 25th 2005, 8:44 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson is starting a statewide campaign intended to reduce underage drinking.

Edmondson announced Tuesday the start of the campaign called "Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix."

The program is intended to get parents and their children to talk about alcohol before the children are confronted with the opportunity to drink. The program includes booklets that are being made available to principals at each middle school in the state.

Supporters of the program say 54 percent of adolescents have tried alcohol by the time they reach the eight grade and nearly 38 percent of 13-to-15-year olds say they've had alcohol on five occasions during the past year.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse says children typically have their first drink of alcohol around age 12.