Middle School in Rapid City tackles under-age drinking - KOTA Territory News

Middle School in Rapid City tackles under-age drinking

Southwest Middle School in Rapid City held an assembly for its sixth grade class called 'Ask, Listen, Learn.'

Attorney General Marty Jackley addressed the students and encouraged them not to be afraid to ask questions about alcohol.

He also emphasized the program's motto to "say 'yes' to a healthy lifestyle and 'no' to underage drinking."

To promote a healthy lifestyle, kids got to practice playing an interactive video game.

Jackley believes programs like this help reach out to kids at an early age.

"We want to get to these kids early, these younger kids to say there are health and legal reasons why this is a really bad idea and to reassure them it's not a good thing to break the law or put poisonous substances into their bodies," said Jackley.

A study in 2011 found that 1/3 of kids say they've tried alcohol by the time they reach eighth grade.

If you'd like more information on how to educate your child about the dangers of underage drinking, you can check out the program's website at www.asklistenlearn.com, which features many interactive games and "superstars" like Tyson Gay and Rebecca Soni who send positive messages to kids about staying fit and explains why these elite athletes say 'no' to underage drinking.