High levels of drinking among adolescents are particularly troubling, according to those trying to curb underage drinking in Utah, because of recent evidence by Duke University Psychiatry researcher Aaron M. White and others that shows a tremendous amount of structural and functional brain development takes place during the teenage years.

It is well-known that alcohol produces learning and memory impairments, but alcohol also may disrupt the "neural plasticity" in the brain that affects how memory is formed. And mini-withdrawals that occur with binge drinking — a popular behavior among teenagers — resulted in cognitive deficits in rats.

"The data raise the distinct possibility that repeat exposure to alcohol during adolescence might alter the normal trajectory of brain development in long-lasting, perhaps permanent, ways," White wrote in a paper published in October.

So local and national advocates are taking this simple message to students and young people.

"The brain can be seriously damaged, perhaps permanently, with alcohol use during the teenage years," Brown said. "And we cannot sit by and watch while an entire generation of young people is dumbed down."

In conjunction with International Brain Awareness Week last week, MADD announced two new activity guides, "Brain Smarts" and "Fragile: Handle with Care," which help adults teach youth about the negative impact alcohol has on the developing brain.

The interactive guides are part of MADD's comprehensive strategy to combat underage drinking with research-based educational materials.

The activity books are powerful tools to engage students, teach them new information and help limit alcohol use, said Wendy J. Hamilton, MADD national president.

"Brain Smarts," developed for students in grades 3-5, includes five activities that teach kids about their brains and how alcohol places their brains and bodies at risk.

Verne Larsen, Safe and Drug Free Schools coordinator for the Utah State Office of Education, is implementing "Brain Smarts" in Utah elementary schools systemwide.

"By reaching students at an earlier age, we know these lessons can help kids grow up alcohol-free," Larsen said.

"Fragile: Handle with Care" is designed for students in grades 6 and 7. The activity guide is written for the age group that, statistically, is beginning to have experiences with alcohol. It teaches kids about how brains work.

Brown and others hope this renewed focus on underage drinking will lead to a more thorough examination of how law enforcement works to enforce underage drinking issues.

For example, Cam, Tony and Thomas all are part of a program in the state's Division of Youth Corrections that evaluates kids to see what treatment or punishment is most appropriate for them.