Iowa identifies 23 counties for its underage drinking prevention program

For many adolescents, underage drinking is thought to be a rite of passage into adulthood. However, alcohol at an early age, according to many studies, can hinder brain development and lead to academic underachievement, among other deficiencies.

The Iowa Department of Public Health recently selected 23 counties to participate in a $10.5 million federal grant program to reduce underage drinking, according to the news station WOWT.

Officials told the news source that the counties that were identified as "highest need" in regards to underage drinking as well as binge drinking were chosen as part of an effort to provide education and prevent further use. They added that alcohol is the substance most frequently used by adults and youth in the state and across the nation.

Boot camps for troubled teens may help adolescents who consume alcohol. These programs show young people the dangers of substance abuse as well as the impact it can have on developing and impressionable minds.

According to a 2009 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 42 percent of high school students have consumed some amount of alcohol during their lifetime.