The consequences of underage drinking have made headlines locally it seems more often than usual lately, and a new study may tell us why. A staggering number of students are trying booze at a younger age.

In a new study of more than 4,000 sixth graders in Chicago schools, 17–percent of the children had used alcohol in the past year.
The findings are reported in the journal 'Health Education and Behavior.'

Researchers now conclude prevention needs to start in elementary school, and should include parents. Tazewell County has seen its share of alcohol related teen deaths over recent years.

More than 350 middle school students from throughout the area are getting excited about making positive choices...

Here at the 17th annual Tazewell County Teens Unlimited Conference, students select three sessions they would like to attend throughout the day...the topics range from performance enhancement drugs to decision driving. Drew Scott has attended the event for several years and says he's gained a lot from the experience, "You know a lot of information and you get to meet a lot of people who are experts in the field of drug and alcohol prevention. It's definitely helpful in fighting peer pressure."

Several hours later...Tazewell County Parents and community leaders gathered in the Washington Middle School gym to tackle similar subjects.

Tanya Hofmann said, " I am definitely appreciative that they had this tonight. When I heard it I wanted to be here and to see what information they had to offer and educated myself as a parent."

The organizers' goal for this first ever Town Hall Meeting on Underage drinking is to learn to hold adults accountable as well...

Jeanne Brady of the Tazewell Teen Initiative said, "How can you tell kids to make the right decisions when parents are holding underage drinking parties in their homes? How can you tell teens to make the right decision when they can go into a retail store and walk out with alcohol?"

Jeanne Brady says this is just the beginning...and hopes to see more efforts like this one in the future.

Organizers were hoping for a greater turnout to the town hall meeting, but most Washington residents were at the Dekalb super–sectional tonight cheering on their boy's basketball team.