AID--The Ohio State Highway Patrol wants to stop underage drinking before it even starts.

Troopers are offering a new program to area schools that has been created to let fifth-grade students know of the dangers of underage drinking and to prevent young people from taking their first drink.

"Statistics show that young people who take their first drink before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependency than those who started after age 21," Lt. Carl Roark, commander of the Ironton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said.

"This is a problem that can be reduced with proper prevention efforts."

Fifth-grade students from Symmes Valley Elementary School participated in the Reach Out Now Program two weeks ago.

The program is being offering in other school districts as well.