Nebraska's lead in this category is a mark of shame

Nebraska students are above average -- but it's not something of which we should be proud.

According to the 2005 Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, approximately three of every 10 Nebraska students binge drink. In 2005, 29.8 percent or an estimated 30,000 students reported binge drinking, higher than the national average of 25.5 percent.

To address the issue during April's Alcohol Awareness Month observance in Nebraska, acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven K. Galson will be in Nebraska Monday to speak at 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications building in Lincoln, 1800 N. 33rd St., and will visit the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Galson's visit "provides an opportunity to engage Nebraska families on underage drinking," said Scot Adams, PhD., director of the Division of Behavioral Health at DHHS. "It's important to raise awareness about this risky behavior," he said.

And there is plenty we need to be aware of.

According to other statistics:

* alcohol is the most commonly used substance among high school students in Nebraska. In 2005, more than two of every five shigh school students (42.9 percent) drank alcohol during the past month, compared to one in six who used marijuana.

* More than two of every five Nebraska high school students are current drinkers. Approximately 43,000 students, or 42.9 percent drank alcohol in the month before taking the 2005 survey.

Adults have a tradition of looking the other way -- or worse -- during prom and graduation season, but April's a good time to reassess our attitudes.

Allowing teens with immature minds and bodies to abuse alcohol may do them irreparable harm for years to come.