Legislators want to recognize positive teen influences

With children starting to smoke and drink at an increasingly younger age, Reps. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden, and Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, decided to recognize youth groups that help keep their peers away from the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Their resolution, HCR3, which advocates increased awareness of the negative affects posed by tobacco, alcohol and drugs, advanced out of the House Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday.

Christy Jones, the director of the Weber-Morgan Health Department's Governing Youth Council, said that on average, children are beginning to smoke at 12 years old and drink at 11 or 12.

"It is so important to combat (drugs and alcohol) with positive influences," said Jill Bowers, a 15-year-old member of the Governing Youth Council. "I believe we are making a difference, but there is still more work to be done."