Drug Czar says stats on underage drinking are disturbing

Almost one in three high school students say they binge drink at least oncea month. A report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University shows underage drinkers now account for 25-percent of all alcohol consumed in the U-S, and 87-percent of adults who drink had their first alcohol before turning 21. State Drug Czar Bruce Upchurch says the news about kids binge drinking is disturbing.He says it’s a matter of helping kids make the right decisions about what they’re going to do with their bodies. Upchurch says binge drinking numbers are also alarming on the adult level.He says alcohol’s the most abused drug by both adults and young people. Upchurch is also concerned about the growing use of marijuana by kids.He believes there are mixed messages nationally and locally about the use of marijuana. Upchurch made his comments during an event in Mason City. Contrary to the Columbia University report mentioned earlier, U-S Government estimates show underage drinkers account for 11-point-four percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States.