If you're underage and drinking, alcohol doesn't just slur speech, soothe emotions and hamper balance.

It scars your brain.

An October study by the American Medical Association shows that alcohol users younger than 21 are at greater risk for brain damage than adult drinkers.

Alcohol can impair learning and memory, affect personality and behavior — and damage the ability to experience emotion, according to the report.

Alcohol also creates greater dependence for those who begin drinking before age 15.

While activists and health officials have known the risks and seen the statistics, Salt Lake County mayors are now starting a campaign to curb underage drinking.

Their goal: Reduce the number of minors who drink by 50 percent, implement stricter laws and eliminate retail sales of alcohol to minors. "We can no longer simply say, 'Well, it's not my child,' or assume that kids can drink without repercussions as long as they don't get in a car," said Holladay Mayor Dennis Webb. "Our communities need to come together in articulating and implementing this new cultural norm: Underage drinking is a public health crisis — plain and simple."

Webb was one of 15 Salt Lake County mayors gathered Thursday at Sandy City Hall to kick off the campaign. They were flanked on one side by city police chiefs, who watched as the mayors signed a proclamation outlining goals to reducing underage drinking.

The mayors pledged to formally establish a program known as E.A.S.Y. (Eliminate Alcohol Sales to Youth). They will also seek funding for a public information campaign and focus on activities to deter youths from drinking, according to the proclamation.

"It will take the efforts not only of government but of parents, students and relatives," said Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.

The county and other cities have already made an effort by helping fund safe graduation parties for high school seniors, he said.

Art Brown, president of the Utah chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is helping with legislation to strengthen education and licensing requirements for retailers that sell beer. Gas stations or places that have "off-premise" sales will be specifically targeted.

"We need to work closely with retailers on training and recognition," said Brown.

Currently, off-premise beer retailers are not required to have a state alcohol license. That means the retailers don't receive the education that state-licenced retailers receive.

If required to be licensed, off-premise salespeople may be better able to recognize underage drinkers or those purchasing for underage drinkers, said Brown. It may also reduce the number of minors who drink.

"We want everyone in the state to realize that alcohol affects the teen brain different that the adult brain," said Brown. "You cannot have healthy communities to raise young people if they continue with underage drinking."

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com