North Carolina launches anti-drinking campaign aimed at middle schoolers

RALEIGH (AP) — Middle school students will be the target of an anti-drinking campaign that teaches them to understand how advertising affects their decision-making.

The ten-lesson project was launched today by first lady Mary Easley and acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu.

Easley says youngsters can be taught to critically think about the messages they see in advertising.

Students are encouraged to think about who paid for the ad and who it's designed to reach.

North Carolina education officials will implement the program in all middle schools by January.

Moritsugu says alcohol is the substance most abused by young people in the United States. There are an estimated eleven million underage drinkers nationwide.