Many public health agencies consider underage drinking to be a serious public health problem. It can often lead to health complications and alcoholism, which may increase the likelihood that individuals will need substance abuse treatment.

For these reasons, agencies across the country are working to reduce the rates of underage drinking. The Liquor Control Board of one Eastern state recently announced a program that will provide nearly $1million in grants to local initiatives that are aimed at preventing teens from obtaining alcohol.

The grants will help fund law enforcement efforts, school-based education programs and new strategies to enable universities to eliminate underage drinking on their campuses.

Board members said that underage drinking is a serious problem in communities throughout the country, and taking steps to stamp out the practice could lead to reduced rates of alcoholism and complications associated with heavy alcohol consumption.

The agency has distributed more than $4.5 million dollars to public health organizations since 1999 as part of its efforts to reduce underage drinking.