April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is spreading its prevention message to youth with the launch of its second annual Being Outstanding Leaders Together Against Drugs and Alcohol (BOLT) program for middle school students.

BOLT events encourage conversations between parents and preteens about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and are hosted by community groups through a partnership with Virginia ABC’s Education and Prevention Section.

The following spring BOLT events are free and open to middle school students and their parents: Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lafayette High School, 4460 Longhill Drive, Williamsburg.

Students and parents from Williamsburg, Newport News and West Point; and James City, Surry and New Kent counties are invited to attend; Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Central Middle School, 250 Statesman Drive, Charlotte Court House. Students and parents from Charlotte County are invited to attend.

According to a U.S. Surgeon General report, almost 20 percent of 14-year-olds say they’ve been drunk at least once.

Another study by RAND Health found that three-quarters of seventh graders had used alcohol.

“BOLT allows us to reach a critical age group and equip students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy life choices,” said ABC Education and Prevention Manager Katie Weaks.

For BOLT on May 7 at Central Middle School in Charlotte County, contact Karen Osborne (osbornek@ccps.k12.va.us) at Charlotte County Public Schools.

For more information on the Central Middle School event, call the school office at  (434) 542-4536.