One Utah town aims to start community-driven program to prevent underage drinking

Many people believe that adolescents experiment with drugs and alcohol as a way of growing up. However, many studies have shown that illicit drug use during early teen years can affect their development into healthy, productive adults.

City officials in Bountiful City, Utah recently announced that they are seeking methods to change that thinking and provide healthier options for teens to use in their free time, Davis County Clipper reports.

Law enforcement officials are lending their expertise in drug and alcohol prevention to local parents and teens. They told the news provider that they wish to see a community effort aimed at curbing this behavior.

"We will look at getting a functional board and activities, ideas and programs that can really get the word out to our youth and parents as to those programs," Tom Ross, police chief, told the news source.

Parents may also want to explore boarding schools for troubled teens as a way to help their child make healthier choices in their life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 42 percent of high school students indicated they used alcohol at some point in their lifetime.