Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, along with representatives of the Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking, announced today the launch of a statewide effort to curb underage drinking.

"We Don't Serve Alcohol to Teens Week" officially runs through Saturday, Aiona said during a news conference this morning. Other efforts to combat underage drinking will be taking place through October.

Animated TV commercials and radio spots produced by local high school students will be included in the campaign, Aiona said.

"Underage drinking is the No. 1 substance abuse problem for teens in Hawai'i and across the nation," Aiona said.

As part of the campaign, The Advertiser will carry a free insert in tomorrow's print edition that discusses underage drinking and its ramifications. Neighbor Island newspapers and other publications will also carry the insert.

Aiona urged parents to look at the publication tomorrow and refer to it often as a daily reminder that parents can have the biggest influence on whether a teen consumes alcohol.

The 12-page publication discusses the effects of alcohol consumption on the brain and looks at the increased chance of becoming addicted or alcohol dependent if you start drinking before legal age.

It also looks at the risks associated with underage drinking, handling peer pressure and parental influence. There is a segment on online parental resources included, too.