We've all seen the headlines — describing the effects of alcohol-related violence, traffic accidents, and sometimes fatalities.

We know that underage drinking plays a significant role. And, bystanders, children, and entire families are damaged. We also know that alcohol affects young bodies differently than adults.

Parents, public officials and the community used to accept alcohol consumption as a rite of passage and part of growing up. But young people began drinking more and in greater quantities.

In 1992 when Drawing the Line on Under-21 Alcohol Use was formed by bringing together County, State and regional government agencies, members of the community, and local businesses to begin working to keep our children safe, more than 50 percent of high school seniors and 33 percent of eighth graders reported they had drunk more than five drinks at one time. Each Prom Season, there had been at least one alcohol-related death.